CREEVEDONNELL

Despite a decent start in their new surroundings it was always going to be an uphill struggle for Stephen Scroggie's team, especially without a professional, and their eventual relegation probably came as no surprise.

Wins against Glendermott and Bonds Glen in their first five matches gave brief rise to hopes of a shock survival but ten straight defeats after that crushed those plans.

They also gave North County a real scare in their Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup tie on the Curryfree Road before the Leinster side scraped through but that was probably as good as it got.

Kyle Morrow topped the run return with 387 which is a good effort in itself but doesn't compare with any best v best. Nicky Cooke added 321 despite playing just 12 matches while Andy Barr's 276 was next highest.

Jack Glenn (256), Gary Neely (253), skipper Scroggie (237) and Ellis McGarrigle (200) all chipped in but there just wasn't enough runs there to fend off trouble.

Neely topped the bowling with 29 wickets at an average of 20 with only Ellis McGerrigle (18) coming close as their side struggled to cope with the demands of the top flight.

To their credit Creevedonnell made it perfectly clear from the outset that they would focus on their facilities as opposed to short-term playing investments and with two teams being relegated they were well aware that most felt they would be one of them.

The club will have revelled in weekly tangles with Donemana, Brigade, Bready et al and despite the defeats they definitely gave some of the big guns a real scare.

With a bit of luck they could well have won at Beechgrove and indeed scuppered the Holm side's title charge late on as well, but it wasn't to be.

The new League 1 will be competitive next season for the addition of Scroggie's side as well as Glendermott and Bonds Glen so they will surely find their level after that.

Batting

K Morrow 387 runs at an average of 18.4 (3x50), highest score 58
N Cooke 321 runs at an average of 29.2 (3x50) highest score 64
A Barr 276 runs at an average of 18.4 (1x50) highest score 64*

Bowling

G Neely 29 wickets at an average of 20, best of 4-40