There is always something a bit special about the eve of a new season, probably because for every club, whatever their resources or ambition, anything is possible this week. The anticipation among players and supporters alike is at its highest and all of us are setting out in the hope that this could be a really special summer. The 8-team league format will add to the excitement and despite maybe not living up to its billing in the North West last year I suspect it will be different in 2014.

For a start, while Coleraine will start favourites to retain their crown in the Long’s SuperValu Premier Division, the Bannsiders are unlikely to get things their own way to the same extent this season. Brigade have stuck with the same squad for the first time in years and added a quality batsman in Digvijay Amarnath so they will be a danger to all and there is little chance of Strabane and Donemana being as ineffective in the title race as they were 12 months ago.

At the other end who is vulnerable? - Ardmore with Curry, Murphy, Neely and Riddles; Bready with Craig Young (and possibly Ian) as well as Ernest Kemm, or Eglinton with Stuart Thompson, Stephen Smyth and a host of improving youngsters.

Predictions are the easiest way in life to fall out with people but despite the fact that I’ll be looking for a cup of tea at most of the grounds I’m still going to have a go anyway and suggest Coleraine to edge out Strabane at the top. As for the issue of relegation….possibly one of the other six.

In the Championship I’m going for Glendermott and Drummond to battle it out all summer with the Saints ready to pounce if one of them slips up. At the bottom I have no idea who will end up with the wooden spoon and a potential relegation play-off place but my only prediction here is that it WON’T be Killyclooney as most are suggesting.

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Despite losing out in their two pre-season friendlies against top flight opponents it was fantastic to see the first ever Warriors Academy successfully completing their first term last week. Under the guidance of Brian Doherty, coaches Steven Clarke, Karl O’Doherty and Brian Scanlon overseen a 10-week programme that gave the 12 young players a taste of elite training and the feedback has been really positive. This type of pre-season coaching is bound to benefit the players as they head back to their clubs and the elite cricket committee of Andrew Fleming, Peter McCartney and Billy Henderson deserve every credit for making it happen.

With a young nucleus to the full Warriors squad already in place it is only fitting that the next generation should start being put through their paces now. These lads are keen as mustard to get on in the game and considering the progress of Andy McBrine, Craig Young and Stuart Thompson in the past 12 months it is important to have that continuity in place. Congratulations to all involved and here’s hoping that Phase 2 is on target for October.

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This year’s rejuvenated T20 competition will be high on many people’s agenda given that it will be played on Tuesday and Thursday nights through June and July. Nearly all cricket followers love their mid-week games and they were sorely missed last season.

The problem with mid-week cricket however is that everybody wants to watch it but nobody wants to play it. The new format, pairing teams from the Premiership and the Championship will really freshen things up and fittingly too, the new trophy to accompany the Faughan Valley cup will mark the life of a dear friend of ours, Eric Cooke. The whole competition will hopefully benefit from its re-invention and we can look forward to a very busy, but very entertaining addition to the North West calendar.

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Finally for now it is a big week in the corridors of Power at Cricket Ireland as Robin Walsh completes his term of office as President on Sunday. Robin has, as we expected, been a superb ambassador in the role and made a point of attending a huge amount of matches, functions and dinners during his time in office.

As always he was excellent company and it is only fair to put congratulations on record given the work he put in. Robin will be succeeded of course by one of our own, former North West President Joe Doherty and the Strabane man will doubtless be every bit as active as his predecessor during his tenure.

We hope to get a piece with Joe in the early weeks of his Presidency looking ahead to a big year leading up to the World Cup in 2015. For now though well done to both men and we can look forward to another positive chapter in the annals of Irish cricket in the coming months.