WHO WILL WIN THE CUP?

As usual we've had the feelers out around the North West ahead of this weekend's Northern Bank Senior Cup final and been tapping the views of the great and the good as to who will emerge victorious on Saturday evening. The general consensus is that it is a meeting of contrasting cup pedigree and current form and maybe that is what makes this a decent looking final. Here's what some of them had to say-

Alistair Bushe (News Letter)- Donemana would have started strong favourites in my book had the all-round talent of Andy McBrine and Ryan Hunter been available. How they cope without the young duo will dictate the direction of the final. It will be closer than the 2009 decider between them but Donemana's greater experience might just tell once again.

Brian Dougherty (Creevedonnell)- Much of course depends on the starting line-ups and without Hunter and Andy McBrine, Donemana do look less formidable. However they have great experience, a number of match winners in their side and have that amazing will to win. In my opinion Bready need to pack this type of experience into their side to stand any hope. Their batting is too dependent on the talents of Rankin and Clarke whilst their bowling can look ordinary. Lecky, Olphert , Hamilton, and even James Long can help provide this experience and encourage the young talent that is there. Bready undoubtedly deserve a senior trophy but I can’t see anything other than a Donemana win.

John McMillan- I watched young Hunter and McBrine last week at the Holm and I think Donemana will really miss both of them in the final. The key for Bready is how they bowl and Donemana will find run scoring an awful lot more difficult on the big ground at Eglinton. Steven Clarke, David Rankin and professional Agha Sabir have a big role to play bur the Scanlon brothers could also have a big say in the outcome. James still looks to be carrying an injury as well and although Donemana have the edge on experience if Bready are ever to do it they will never get a better chance than this.

Niall McDonnell (Strabane)- Both teams will be missing key players which is a shame. We have learned the hard way that Donemana are never beaten and the depth of their batting may be the key. Donemana will be favourites which will suit Bready down to the ground, On paper the Holm side should win and I can see Junior McBrine being a really influential player in the contest but I hope North West cricket is the winner and the best of luck to both of them.

Billy Henderson (League Sponsor)- Down through the years Bready have competed relatively well against their neighbours without ever threatening to upstage them in the trophy stakes. Trevor Hamilton's side will certainly feel they have a big chance this time particularly with the two lads missing but with the McBrine twins, McGarrigle, skipper Kee and Ricky-Lee Dougherty to contend with they still have a job on their hands. There is a lot of pressure on Steven Clarke and David Rankin and I just can't see enough runs in the Bready team to beat Donemana.

Brian Allen (Eglinton)- There is very little to choose between the respective bowling attacks but without McBrine and Hunter, Bready have the edge in the batting. They have had their problems in the order this season but I feel they have enough quality to give them a big chance. As always, luck will play a major part but I think that Bready can shade it.

Vischal Chopra (Coleraine)- Donemana are the team for the big occasion and they seem to be going into the weekend in good nick; indeed 's quite possible that the shock of the season at the Holm on Sunday could make them even more dangerous as well. Bready are worthy finalists and are a decent side themselves but they lack a cutting edge. Having said that it's a funny old game as we've seen several times this season already and on one's day anybody is capable of winning. I just think that despite the absence of Andy McBrine and Ryan Hunter, Donemana still have enough mix in the squad to get them home.

Reggie McCarron (Brigade scorer) There might not be much in it, particularly with the missing players but Donemana have the two key ingredients in experience and attack. They've been around the block a few times with these big games and are able to handle the pressure better than anybody. I also think their bowling is stronger and they have more options than Bready who although they are certainly no bad side are going to miss Ian Young an awful lot at the weekend.

Gordon Montgomery (Glendermott)- I think the big pitch gives Bready a definite edge especially as Donemana will also be missing two very important players. Bready have a really good mix of youth and experience to call on and although missing Ian Young, they have other options, I think this is Bready's year.

Eamonn McLaughlin (Highland Radio)- It's a really difficult call this year as Donemana's edge is balanced out by the fact that they will be missing key players. I would have opted for Bready if I had been asked immediately after the semi finals but they have really lost their way since and been very poor at times as well. I know they won on Sunday and Donemana lost their unbeaten run but form usually counts for plenty going into the final and Donemana win that call hands down.