There’s no doubt Killyclooney have been the story of the season to date, and they sit proudly at the summit of the Premiership at the half-way point. Skipper Tim Dougherty is keeping his feet on the ground as the pressure builds with the chance of a fairy tale win becoming a reality.
“It's never probably come into any of our heads that we would be top of this table at any stage, but I think when you look at the stats and results you can see that our efforts are paying off,” Dougherty began.
“Obviously with Blayde we are a strong batting side. He is just unstoppable at the moment, a joy to watch and play with. He's been a dream signing for us and seems to just take everything in his stride, nothing bothers him. On and off the field he's always pushing us to do better no matter what standard is set.
“It's never probably come into any of our heads that we would be top of this table at any stage, but I think when you look at the stats and results you can see that our efforts are paying off,” Dougherty began.
“Obviously with Blayde we are a strong batting side. He is just unstoppable at the moment, a joy to watch and play with. He's been a dream signing for us and seems to just take everything in his stride, nothing bothers him. On and off the field he's always pushing us to do better no matter what standard is set.
“Every week he's scoring runs for us although there's always two or three of us chipping away and getting runs alongside him. I think that takes the pressure off him knowing that we as a team can bat around him.
“I have to mention my bowlers this year. Our regulars have stepped it up a gear this season, with the addition of Matthew Campbell and the emergence of Kenzie Hall as a converted wicket-keeper it has really given us that extra push we needed. We have Jordan Connor back home and playing again with us this year too which has been a great help in more recent weeks.
When you look at the bowling stats you'll find three of our bowlers up there in the top 20 – two in the top 7, with another three just short of showing in the standings so I think that has had a major impact on our results this season too. There's two sides to a cricket match and I think our bowling side is every bit as strong as our batting this season.
Obviously this weekend will be a strong test for us at home to Donemana. It could go either way, hopefully we can keep doing what we have been and come away with the result we want.
“There's a long way to go and there's no pressure for us as we are just enjoying ourselves. We will just keep taking every match as it comes and see where we end up!”
The man of the moment Blayde Capell’s 7th century of the season at Bonds Glen took his aggregate to 1479 runs at an average of 123.25. What has been the secret of his success?
“I’ve come here with an open mind-set and I just wanted to enjoy playing cricket. I think this has been paying off. Being at the top hasn’t brought any added pressure as we are still classified as the “underdogs” so we would love to prove everyone wrong of this statement.”
The affable South African was climbing Mount Errigal in Donegal this week. You get the feeling that with him in the form of his life, Killyclooney might just climb a mountain of their own this season.