...and it would be a brave man to bet against them winning the title once again this year.
Their consistency has been amazing this season and they remain the only northern team left in the Irish Senior Cup. What odds they can go all the way?
Perhaps the most amazing part of the 2008 Donemana success story has been the outstanding performances of their talented twins James and Junior McBrine, both well into their forties, but displaying all the zeal and enthusiasm of players half their age. Both have been at the top of North-West cricket for over twenty years and have set records unlikely to be broken for many years. Their joint demolition of reigning league champions Brigade last week was just another example of their never-say-die attitude and their ability to rescue even the most lost cause. Quite simply, no Donemana team will be beaten if either James or Junior has yet to bat or bowl.
The McBrine name is synonymous with North-West and Donemana cricket with WJ and Alex McBrine legends during the fifties and sixties. The affable Alex died just a few years ago but he left a wonderful legacy to Irish cricket through his outstanding commitment and sportsmanship. He was an ever-present at North-West matches in the twilight of life and an excellent ambassador of the North-West game. He also fathered three fine cricketing sons in Roy, James and Junior, and a fiery supporter in daughter Doris. Roy set a fine example to his younger brothers, but it was the talented twins who really established Donemana as the top team in their time. Their outstanding performances week in, week out, made them formidable opponents and at the end of most seasons, their names were up there with the overseas professionals as the top performers.
Both became integral members of successful North-West interprovincial teams and in due course both were selected for Ireland. Junior played 35 times for Ireland and he had the ultimate honour of playing with his brother James in the 1986 match againstScotland. Surprisingly James was only picked once for Ireland, an injustice that is difficult to comprehend given the high standards he set at every level he played over the years. But then, Ireland selections over the years were not always down to ability!
Junior retired from the international scene in 1994, much too early in the opinion of most people, but he had become disillusioned with the game at this level and the commitment required to be in the national squad. As time was to prove, Ireland’s loss was Donemana’s gain, and in the ensuing 14 years the twins have achieved just about everything in local club cricket.
Long playing careers are not unusual in Irish club cricket, but it is rare for older players to perform at such a high level in the twilight of their careers. The twins are not gazelles in the field and their wider girths and balding heads show very visible signs of age, but with either bat or ball in their hands, they continue to be giants in the North-West game.
Long may it continue.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
