Skipper challenges team-mates

The Beechgrove men had an outstanding 97 run victory in last weekend's prestigious final, but Simpson is hoping that isn't the end of this year's silverware.

"As I said in my speech we have seven more cup finals now before the end of the season," he explained.

"We have to treat each one as a cup final and give it our best efforts, give 100 per cent and we'll see where it takes us.

"It took us a wee while to get going, we lost a few games earlier in the season and maybe won a couple which we shouldn't have but with other teams beating each other has left us still in the hunt.

"The league is there for anyone to take and we'll give it our best shot."

Simpson also admitted he was not just thrilled for himself and the players, but was delighted to have collected the Senior Cup for Mr Brigade himself - Bertie Faulkner.

"I was delighted that we had won the cup, to be honest Bertie puts a lot of time and effort into the club, he helps to run the boys team, he helps to run the seconds and the thirds.

"He's here consistently, working at the wicket, so guys like that deserve that little bit of success and days out like the cup final."

He added: "I was delighted and with it obviously the showpiece of the season, it's always nice to put in two great batting performances and to score 260 runs in both innings you couldn't ask for much more."

Setting the Tyrone men 291 runs to win was always going to be a tall order, but as the captain pointed out their bowlers stepped up to the mark and got the big wickets of Jonathan Beukes and Peter Gillespie.

"There are obviously two or three key men in the team and if you can get them cheaply then you are in with a good shout and luckily enough we got them cheaply in the second innings.

"It didn't work out for us in the first innings and they batted well, but 291 was a big target for any team to chase in a cup final and it was too much for them in the end."