It was seven years that Donemana made their previous appearance in the game of the year in the north west, the two-day Senior Cup Final – an eternity for the club’s players and supporters.

Remarkably, that 2017 game against Ballyspallen was their ninth successive Final appearance and their sixth successive win, but since then, apart from the T20 Covid year – nothing.

So, 2024 skipper Gary McClintock is determined to put on a show for their loyal and huge band of followers against Newbuildings, starting on Friday morning (11.00am).

“The Final is still the highlight of the season, we always seem to turn up, so hopefully, it is the same again this year. It’s been a long wait,” he said.

“With the game clashing with the Test match in Belfast, it means we are without Scra (Andy McBrine), but it is what it is, he is playing for his country, so we have to move on and I’m sure somebody will step up.

“It has been a pretty easy passage to get to the Final this year (they bowled out their opponents in all three games for less than 120), but we are not going to take anything for granted. We have played well so far, but it’s going to be a tough game.

“They beat us in the League game at their place when we had them four or five down early, but they got up to win.”

McClintock also stated there will be a change in the batting order on Friday, with DJ Dougherty set to return to the opener’s slot and professional Rumesh Buddhika dropping down.

“DJ struggled a wee bit early in the season, but he is going back to open with me, and the pro will give us more balance at No.4,” added McClintock.

Newbuildings have actually taken Donemana’s place in the interluding years – this is their third in a row – but the 2022 Premiership champions are awaiting an elusive first Senior Cup success.

“We have let ourselves down in the second innings in the last two years, so hopefully, we can put that right this time,” reflected skipper Gareth McKeegan, who is delighted that the Final is back at Beechgrove.

“This is the place for the Final. I played here for 11 years, so I’m glad I will get another Final before I hang up the boots.”

Someone who cannot hang up his boots, despite announcing his retirement at the end of the 2023 season, is former Donemana and Brigade all-rounder Johnny Thompson.

“I am responsible for JT unretiring,” said McKeegan. “I hounded him all winter because he is still one of the best all-rounders in the north west and can win a game on his own.”

It was Thompson and professional Samarth Seth (“one of the best batters I have played with,” added McKeegan) who won the League game against Donemana with an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 136.

Newbuildings, whose supporters will ensure it ranks as a noisy Final, will be hoping for more of the same across the two days.