With the numbers in the 2013 Minor Cup swelling to unmanageable proportions, 2014 will see a new (provisionally titled) "Minor 2 Cup". The draw for that will be published tomorrow, but today we look at the Minor Cup - no longer the baby of the competitions.
The 2014 Minor Cup is the highest competition in the ladder where non-league teams clash with their league counterparts, and we'll start by looking at the fortunes of those three non-league teams.
AIB Taverners have been one of the most successful non-league teams in recent years, reaching the final of the Minor Cup in 2012, as well as the semi-final of the Russell Court Trophy last year. As such they have the tag of giant-killers, and it is Swords 2 who will have to withstand the onslaught. Swords 2 played their first season last year, and won one Junior Cup match before succumbing to eventual winners, Slieve Bloom 1.
Tyrrelstown 1 are very much on the road to greater things, with the aim still to enter the leagues in 2015, once their new ground in Dubin 15 has been completed. Until then, their program of friendlies continues, as well as an entry into the Minor Cup. Last year they face a tricky trip to Clontarf, losing to Clontarf 7, and their task is much harder this year, as they play Clontarf 6.
Dublin Fire Brigade are another club with big aims, and plans for their new ground are progressing. Last year they entered the Minor Cup, losing to Clontarf 7 in the first round, and in 2014 will go to Sydney Parade to play Pembroke 6 of Division 12.
The highest ranked teams in the league will be Division 11 teams, Leinster 6 and Longford 2. However both would not neccessarily be the strongest teams in the cup. Leinster 6 finished second from bottom in Division 12 in 2013, but have been moved up a league. They will go to Marlay Park to play Sandyford 3, and whether they win will depend on which Leinster 6 turns up. Leinster 7 beat Sandyford 3 twice in 2012, but who knows?!
Longford 2 are an unknown package, entering their first year in Leinster competition. They will host North Kildare 3, who were first round losers in the Minor Cup in 2013. Another tight match.
The three remaining matches are all predicted to be very close affairs as well, meaning that the 2014 Minor Cup could be an absolute cracker. Two teams who had a disappointing 2013, Dundalk 2 and Bagenalstown 2 play each other, giving at least one the opportunity to go on a cup run. Dundalk 1 beat Bagenalstown 2 twice in 2011, but their 2nds will find it much harder.
Rush 4 have been one of the strongest teams in the Minor Cup, and came up against a strong Railway Union 6 in the final last year. An added incentive is that the final is traditionally played in Rush. If they are to reach the final again in 2014, they will need to overcome Merrion 7. Rush 4 beat Merrion 8 in the 2012 Minor Cup.
The final match sees Laois 3 travel to Dundrum 3. Laois have dropped a team for next season - in 2013 Dundrum 3 beat Laois 4 by 1 wicket, so the outcome of this match is yet another impossible one to predict.
Leinster 6