It hasn’t always been the case on the North West cricket scene but 2014 will probably go down as a reasonably uneventful season, something that will no doubt have pleased the new generation of leadership in the region.

Messrs Fleming, Bradley and McCartney have continued to bed into their roles over the past 12 months and have done a very good job at balancing local commitments with Cricket Ireland plans, albeit the coming year will, I suspect, test them substantially more.

A heavy-looking domestic schedule along with a plethora of T20 World Qualifier practice and competitive games, a possible International fixture plus the Interprovincial programme will mean plenty of work for all involved next time. It will also however provide a platform for the North West to showcase what they can do so it will be a time for careful consideration in preparation for that.

Highlights of the summer include the North West Warriors picking up the Interprovincial T20 Championship- a willing testimony to the efforts of Bobby Rao and his players and coaches. The North West’s Interprovincial plan has been clear from the outset and is bearing real fruit already; not just in winning one of the trophies on offer but in the amount of progress at all levels in the region, from under-11’s all the way up.

There is real ownership within the Warriors camp at present and that will create its own unique spirit the longer it is allowed to develop. Of all the things that the Union can celebrate this Christmas, few surpass the work they have done in that area.

Domestically it was a superb year for Strabane who picked up their third senior title in six years- the Red Caps now the side the rest have in their sights at the start of each season. Donemana too scaled the heights with a third successive cup win over Brigade, a magnificent feat for Richard Kee’s men while Bready’s O’Neill’s Cup success showed that the North West is more than capable of holding its own in Ulster.

St Johnston, spearheaded by the rapidly progressing Ryan Macbeth and the underrated Jassi Wallia scooped the Championship title from under the noses of Burndennett while Drummond and Glendermott celebrated cup success in the Division.

Elsewhere we can look forward to senior cricket returning to the west bank of the Foyle in 2015 after Newbuildings secured promotion to the Championship. Chris Cooper’s side looks sure to bring plenty into the division and there won’t be many who will fancy heading to Foyle College next summer.

Limavady are back on the move as well after winning the Q3 double- the Roesiders guided by stalwarts like Johnnie Hunter and Ivan McMichael might not be as far away from a return to senior cricket as was once thought.

To both the North West and the DML’s credit things are also looking bright on the Ladies and Youth cricket front. Strabane Saints are the newest side to join the Ladies League and we have plans in place to get more publicity for them next season as we’re hoping that Rachel McBrine will be contributing to the site.

The recent Regional Development Squad announcement is also fantastic news and the work of many people in making this happen is to be commended. One individual in particular however deserves maximum credit and that is Brian Allen. The Fox Lodge man is working his socks off to take Development to a new level in the North West and we are already starting to see real results.

Progress has been evident on the International stage as well with Andy McBrine, Stuart Thompson and Craig Young all but assured of their place on the plane to Australia and New Zealand in February. The three guys fully deserve their chance too and it was noticeable from speaking to Graeme McCarter recently that he sees the same club-Interprovincial route as his chance to break through also. The North West are fiercely proud of all our representatives and will be watching the World Cup keenly hoping they all make the team.

As alluded too earlier, 2015 is likely to be the season that three of our finest players will have taken their leave of the senior ranks. Junior McBrine has been a truly outstanding servant to Donemana and the Holm club have some job on their hands trying to fill that void. The truth is that they can’t of course, the former Ireland International one of those that only comes along once in a generation.

Similar comments apply to Mark Gillespie who signed off in the absolutely ideal way, with a superb innings that took his side to the title, just when they needed it. One of the most ironic “sledges” I heard this summer was a side trying to wind him up before he even came in to bat- something along the lines of “let’s get Mark in lads, he must be hiding”. Being sledged before you come in…….now that is respect!

And it is being suggested as well that Stephen Smyth is about to hang up the boots although that hasn’t been confirmed. The left hander is probably the most precocious batting talent this region has produced in a generation despite the presence of the one and only Decker Curry. Smyth may not have anything like the numbers that Curry can boast and his rugby commitments throughout his career meant that he was nowhere near as focused. Decker always threatened more as a bowler and his prowess in the slip cordon makes him the complete player but with bat in hand, and just that, Smyth had few peers.

And before winding up the story of 2014 it would be remiss not to mention departed friends and I hope no-one minds if I salute two in particular- Sam McConnell and Eric Cooke. I know plenty of tributes have been paid to Sam regarding his Derry Midweek work and his umpiring- and rightly so. What you might not know of however was a devilish sense of humour and a guy who withstood any amount of ribbing and kept coming back for more. He was great company and his loss will be felt in the North West for some time.

As for Eric, I wouldn’t know where to start. He was one of my closest friends in and beyond cricket and a guy who didn’t even need to speak to make me laugh. Most still can’t get their heads around Eric’s loss and thoughts go out to Val and the family at this time of year. As well as being a brilliant umpire he was just a really nice person and as modest as they come, but Jeez was he always at it! If I’ve never told you the story of my first day umpiring a senior game at the Holm let me know. It is the best grounding any man could hope for as an umpire and only Eric Cooke could carry it off.

And that is pretty much it for now. Many thanks to anyone who has taken the time to comment over the year and special mention to my friends in the NCU who got in touch personally after the piece about JT moving to CIYMS. I have to give a shout out to the people at the Belmont club who made the effort to ring or text me to discuss the piece openly and honestly, and there were certainly no hard feelings.

Wishing each and every one of you a really Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.