Perhaps the most memorable North West Senior Cup final of the post war period was the 1959 Donemana - St Johnston final. The result of the final was taken as a foregone conclusion by many as Donemana had since their re-entry into Senior cricket after the Second World War proved to be a very strong and successful team, particularly in comparison with the achievements gained by the County Donegal team, St Johnston.

The winning St Johnston team

However before looking at the final in detail it is worth while reviewing how both teams succeeded in reaching the final.

In the only match of the first round Eglinton played Donemana, who incidently were the Cup holders, on Saturday June 13 at Eglinton. The visitors passage into the second round was not accompanied by many thrills and although Eglinton were without Scott Huey, who was bowling for Ireland, it was their batting that let them down, only T Allen scoring 27 not out in a total of 64. In reply, Donemana scored 67 for 2.

Rain marred the second round fixtures on Saturday June 27 and Brigade v Sion and City of Derry v St Johnston were postponed. At Donemana however Ardmore were being entertained in a repeat of the 1958 Cup final. Ardmore batted first and were all out for 98 with Donemana on 29 for no wicket when the rain arrived. One Cup match was completed however, this being at Strabane, where visitors' Limavady beat the home team by a wicket in a most thrilling match. Strabane batted first and thanks to some brilliant fielding and catching were dismissed for 65 with bowler T Allen (6 for 25) outstanding in the Limavady attack.

In reply Limavady were soon in difficulty and lost their first three batsmen for nine runs and defeat seemed certain with the last man at the wicket and 20 runs still required. but amazingly both batsmen (B Miller and N Martin) knocked of the required runs in singles to record an exciting victory for the Limavady team. The outcome of the other fixtures were settled the following week.

Donemana knocking off the required runs against Ardmore for the loss of only four wickets. St Johnston with 233 accounted for City of Derry (206) although City gave a creditable reply and Brigade (62) succumbed to Sion Mills (63 for 1).

Rain again interfered with the semi-finals on July 18 and after about three hours play the players left the field with both batting teams in strong positions. On resumption the following week St Johnston added to their score of 132 for 4, finally scoring 310 thanks to 84 from ex-Ireland wicketkeeper Victor Craig and J Taylor's admirable knock of 79. Opponent's Limavady had very little chance of reaching this big score and their total of 218 was a creditable reply.

In the other semi-final Donemana only reached 171 while despite some consistent batting Sion Mills could only total 152 (A Finlay 41). Therefore the scene was set for one of the most interesting finals ever. Champions Donemana with perhaps the best balanced team in the area opposing St Johnston, whose achievements belonged more to the past than the present.

Big crowds attended this cup final between two county teams. St Johnston, who were making only their second appearance in the final (beaten by City of Derry 25 years earlier) won the toss and took first use of the Beechgrove wicket. The first St Johnston wicket fell at the third ball of the match, but after that their batsmen settled down and with opening bat Malcolm McSparron scoring 61 they were able to total 220. In reply Donemana were bowled out for 118, mainly thanks to J Patterson taking 7 for 49 in a fine bowling spell. With over 100 runs in hand St Johnston started their second innings and early on it looked as if they had lost their initiative when they lost four of their batmen for a few runs but a hard hit 47 from A Rutherford and a fine partnership between H O'Donnell and B Patterson saved the day again.

St Johnston's second innings closed at 138 leaving Donemana to get 241 to win. It's not often that a player scores a century in a cup final but this was the case in John Cochrane's fine innings of 101 not out in Donemana's second innings. This century and a well played 45 from Sonny Nichol was not enough however to capture the trophy for Donemana, their remaining batsmen being mastered by the consistant attack of the St Johnston bowlers who finally bowled them out for 192 to give St Johnston the trophy and ironically, a resting place for the first time in Eire.