Today sees the start of our reviews of the 2015 Open Competitions. Between now and the start of the new season in mid April, we will have an in depth look at all the 29 Open Comps - those competitions that are open to all - young and old, male and female.
For 2015 there will be a record breaking 16 divisions of league cricket, but we start by looking at the various cup competitions, starting with the Minor 2 Cup - the full length (40 overs) cup competition for teams playing in league Divisions 15, 16 and also including three non-league teams.
2014 was the first year of the Minor 2 Cup, and pre-season favourites Leinster 7 lived up to their billing, and lifted the trophy last August (as we predicted in our 2014 preview - read it here). But with all four of last year's semi finalists having now been promoted to higher cups, the 2015 edition looks to be wide open.
Seven Division 15 teams are in the draw, and they should be favourites. However, with many of the Division 16 teams also new to competitive cricket there are bound to be some surprises.
Balbriggan 3 are one of those Division 15 teams, but have a mediocre cup record in the last couple of years, winning just the one cup match, a three wicket win against Halverstown 2 in 2014. Carlow are an unknown quantity, and will be playing their first competitive LCU cricket this year. Impossible to call, but a shock not out of the question. The two teams meet in the only preliminary round match, with the winners going on to meet Phoenix 6. 2014 was Phoenix 6ths' first year back in the leagues, and they found life a little tough, losing their only cup game (to eventual runners up Terenure 4), and finishing bottom of Division 14 - one place below Balbriggan 3.
Greystones 4 are in the enviable position of never having to leave home if they lift the trophy. Greystones' newest team are at the top of the draw, and with the final being played in Druids Glen - Greystones fabulous new ground, the team have a cushy route to the final. Of course they still have to win on the pitch, and they have a tough start in round 1 against Rush 4. Rush 4 have a formidable cup record, winning the Minor Cup in 2002 and 2010, and were runners up in the Minor Cup in 2013. This cup represents a step down, and as such Rush have to be considered favourites for the title.
Dundalk 2 had a tough year in 2014, but as recently as 2013 were playing in Division 12, and could be a handy outfit in Division 15. They take on a North Kildare 4 team who are new to competitive cricket. With Dundalk 2 having lost all three of their cup matches since their debut in 2011, one of the teams will have their first cup win come the night of June 21.
Bagenalstown 3 are yet another of the new teams, and have entered league cricket in Division 16. They will have a tough baptism, travelling to play a Clontarf 6 with a decent cup pedigree. They were losing Minor Cup semi finalists in 2011 and losing Junior Cup semi finalists in 2013. Silverware has been a bit harder to attain though, and their last cup success was the 1990 Minor Cup final, when they beat Sandyford 2 in the final.
The massive growth of cricket in West Dublin is shown as Adamstown CC this year have entered a 5th team in all cricket. It's a fantastic achievement by the club, who have grown by one team every year since 2011. How the 5th team competes is a little difficult to work out, and they play one of the stronger teams in the draw, Civil Service 4 . The 2003 Minor Cup winners haven't been too hot in recent years, but will be one of the stronger Division 15 teams this year.
Merrion 8 are at home to Tyrellstown 1. The north Blanchardstown club are slowly creating an excellent set up, with women's and youth teams already playing. Their ground is taking a little longer to be built than expected, but they continue to play cup cricket ahead of a full league program in future years. Tough draws in each of the last two years has seen defeat to Clontarf teams - whether Merrion 8 are any easier remains to be seen. Their overall cup record since 2011 is 4-3, but the last of those four wins was back in 2012. A tough one to call.
Halverstown 2 are another of the non-league sides. Their last cup win was a 9 wicket demolition of Railway Union 5 back in 2012. They play yet another new team in Civil Service 5. Service are a little different to some of the other new teams though, as their 5ths are re-entering competitive cricket after a few year's out - the club's re-invigorated youth set up is leading to new players. Their last cup match was a 2011 loss in the Minor Cup to Merrion 8.
The final tie in the draw is as exciting as many of the others. Ashbourne are looking like a club that is destined to be a success, and they will be one of the real dark horses of Leinster cricket this year. Evening Herald Taverners have had a few tough encounters in competitive cricket in recent years, and will have to be on top of their game if they are to stop Ashbourne's progress.
The top half of the draw looks much stronger, and we think Rush 4 will emerge from that half, with either Merrion 8 or Ashbourne 1 to progress from the bottom half.