BUSY DAY FOR DERRY MIDWEEK LEAGUE COMMITTEE

The draws for the Derry Midweek League's 2012 cup competitions took place on Thursday evening and a few old rivalries are set to be renewed in the early part of next season in both the Faughan Valley and Sperrin Springs competitions.

The Faughan Valley has a slightly lopsided look this time around as Coleraine have decided not to enter a team although the Bannsiders do have a full quota of representatives in all the underage tournaments. Pick of the first round games is the Derry Section semi- final between Brigade and Limavady, the Roesiders no doubt keen to set the record straight having been on the end of something of a thumping when the sides met in a T20 contest at the same venue this summer. Creevedonnell can look forward to the visit of Glendermott as they step up from the Sperrin Springs with the winners of those respective ties meeting to decide who plays the victorious Tyrone side in July's Grand Final.

There are some meaty clashes in the other half with Donemana hosting Bonds Glen in a preliminary round with the winners away to Strabane in the next round. Holders Bready start their defence at home to Fox Lodge and again the two winners will then meet for the opportunity to head to Beechgrove for finals day.

St Johnston couldn't have asked for much more in their bid to appear in successive Sperrin Springs finals as Sion Mills' absence sees them with a bye straight into their section final. The Donegal side will have home advantage over the winners of the Killyclooney versus Burndennett preliminary match so can have few complaints about the luck of the draw. The semi finals of the Derry section have thrown up two really good ties with Ardmore hosting Eglinton and The Nedd at home to neighbours Drummond.

Earlier in the day representatives of the Derry Midweek League presented cheques to a number of local charities at a meeting at Foyleview Special Care school. David Caldwell paid tribute to all the cricket fraternity as he revealed details of this year's efforts and confirmed that despite the economic problems, support had remained constant. �We normally cater to 22 charities but this year we were asked to consider an additional cause and I am happy to report that we have today presented sums totalling �7,400 to 23 very worthy recipients. These people do some immense work throughout the North West and I am pleased to say that the local cricket community has put their hands in their pockets to help out. We look forward to continuing our efforts again in 2012�.