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The RSA Cricket Ireland Awards are now under seven weeks away, it is time to take a look at some of the awards and as to who some of the likely candidates could be for each category. Speculation is rife over who will take the awards home and the eventual winner of the Club Player of the Year sponsored by O’Neills could be listed below
Club Player of the Year sponsored by O’Neills

Today it’s time to cast they eye over possible contenders for Club player of the Year from the North West Cricket Union.

Johnny Thompson has to be considered a favourite having scored 906 for the season, albeit in 27 innings in 28 games at an average of 39. His highest score was 126 and he claimed a massive 56 wickets at 16.02 making him second in the top wicket-takers table. He helped Brigade to victory in the Ulster Cup, to the final of the Northern Bank Senior Cup and to third in Long’s Supervalu Senior League (taking 38 wickets at 12.76 and averaging 42 with the bat in that competition).

Donemana enjoyed a successful season and it is no surprise that a few players from The Holm come into the equation. There are two McBrines in with a shout, the first is Ireland Under-19 star Andrew McBrine who scored 720 runs at 55 and took 32 wickets at 18.59 in just 21 matches. He played three matches in the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup, scoring 186 at an average of 93. Unfortunately he was unable to help Donemana further in the competition as he was away at the Under-19 World Cup in Australia and his team lost the semi-final to Merrion. He would have been consoled with winning the Long’s Supervalu Senior League, though, a competition in which he scored 329 runs.

Junior McBrine won’t want to be outdone by Andrew just yet, though, and he also had a good season, finishing top wicket-taker in the region with 60. He also finished second from top in the bowling averages with his miserly 12.8. Junior played 31 matches, but only batted in 21 of those so his total of 570 runs at 38 was impressive. He played a big part in Donemana’s Long’s Supervalu Senior League victory by taking 35 wickets in the competition while he also took four wickets for just 15 from his 10 overs in the second innings of the Northern Bank Senior Cup final to help Donemana lift the Cup.

Coleraine were in with a chance of winning the Senior League right up to the last few matches and Ireland Under-19 player Scott Campbell had a big part to play in their success. He played less matches than those mentioned before him as he was away with the Under-19s – just 18 – but scored 708 runs at an average of 47 including two centuries, one of which he scored in the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup second round against Donemana. He also took 22 wickets in the season at an impressive 14.05.

Decker Curry put his 2011 season behind him and showed he still has a lot to offer on the field. He has been as consistent a performer as you are likely to find in Irish cricket over the years and this season is no different. Curry scored 545 at 25 in 24 matches, but it is his bowling average of taking 46 wickets, one for every 14.52 runs scored, that has him at sixth in the all-rounder table, fifth in the bowling averages and fourth in the top wicket-takers table. He was the stand-out performer for Limavady in a disappointing season, helping them to the 20-over Faughan Valley Cup final, although they were beaten by Glendermott.

Donemana’s Ricky Lee Dougherty was influential in their successful season and deserves a mention for his all-round performances. He came second in the wicket-keeping table with 14 catches, 18 stumpings and just 17 byes. He played a big part in Donemana’s run to the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup semi-final by taking 2 catches, 7 stumpings and one run out in the competition. Along with Andrew and Junior McBrine he was the rock in the batting order, scoring 645 at an average of 29 in 25 innings in 27 matches.

Finally, a strong mention for the ever consistent Mark Simpson who was fantastic support for Johny Thompson at Brigade, as he ended with 43 wickets at 18.72 and the Brigade captain will be particularly proud of his 4 for 28 in the Ulster Cup final against CSNI that helped his side to victory by 43 runs.

Are there any other worthy contenders? Who have I missed? And who from the North West do you think is most likely to bring the trophy back to that region?

For more details on the RSA Cricket Ireland Awards click here. You can make YOUR nomination for who you think deserves to win Club Player of the Year now. To reserve your seat at the Awards NOW click here


Charlie Irwin
Can a Donemana player add more silverware to their superb season
Yes