In 2012, several members of Railway Union came up with the idea of a new T20 competition for the lower rungs of the Cricket Leinster ladder. The new competition was eventually named the Russell Court Trophy, and has succeeded in its aims of giving more competitive cricket for those players plying their trade in Division 13 or below.
The first competition, won by Railway Union 4 was charcterised by the initital round be a group affair, with the teams competing in eight groups of three, and the winners advancing to the quarter finals. After the 2013 (winners Railway Union 6) and 2014 (winners Laois 3) were knock out compeitions, the 2015 edition of the Russell Court Trophy has reverted to a group phase, with 23 teams entering.
With only three editions of the tournament, and a previous dearth of T20 cricket at this level, form is a little hard to go on. League placing probably provides us with a better idea of a team's standing, with eight Division 13 teams, six Division 14 teams, six Division 15 teams, two Division 16 teams and the sole non league team - Tyrellstown 1.
We've picked the eight teams that we think will advance to the quarter finals, but beyond that it is difficult to predict a winner!
Group A has a clear favourite as Swords 2 of Division 14 take on Clontarf 6 and Civil Service 4 of Division 15. Swords have played Clontarf 6 three times and won all three. Civil Service's record against Clontarf is 1-1, and hence it looks for all the world as if Swords will use their two division league superiority to advance to the next round.
Phoenix 5, Rush 4 and Mullingar 3 clash in Group B. None of the three teams have played each other before. Rush's T20 record has been mixed, winning and losing a match in 2012 and 2013, whilst Mullingar have entered mid week competitions in recent years. That just leaves Phoenix 5, who despite not reaching the quarter finals before, should be strong enough to advance this year.
Ashbourne could spring a few surprises this season. They have a few players who have been playing at higher levels, and despite being an unknown quantity, will be a difficult proposition. Balbriggan 3 are 1-1 against Castleknock 3, which means this group is destined to be tight. Balbriggan reached the quarter finals last year, and were unlucky to lose to eventual winners Laois 3 in a quarter final bowl out. This group could go either way, but we'll plump for Ashbourne to advance.
Group D is the only two team affair, as defending champions Laois 3 play North Kildare 3. Defending champions they may be, but when the two Division 13 teams met in the league last year, it was North Kildare who won. We think the champions should advance, but it will be tight.
Group E, the first of the southern groups, pits non-leaguers Tyrellstown 1 against Leinster 7 and Wicklow County 2. Tyrellstown are still finding their feet at this level, and it looks to be a scrap between the other two teams for the quarter final spot. Leinster and Wicklow County are both in Division 14 and shared their previous two matches. Another tight one, but it may fall to Leinster to advance.
Group F is a Dublin 4 group, with Merrion 8, Pembroke 6 and Railway Union 6 doing battle. Merrion are two leagues below the other two, so it looks to be a fight between Pembroke and Railway. The two haven't completed a game in recent years, but with Railway's pedigree in this event, the 2013 winners have to be favourites to advance.
Group G is one of the more open groups. AIB enter league cricket this year, and although they have not played either of Adamstown 4 or Sandyford 3, they are more than capable of springing a surpirse or two. Adamstown 4 beat Sandyford 3 last year, and they could be one of the few Division 14 teams to advance to the next round.
The last group, Group H, has Dundrum 3 drawn with Greystones 3 and Dublin University 3. Dundrum 3 reached the quarter finals in both 2013 and 2014 and beat Greystones 3 in the league last year, and Greystones will need to improve to go any further. Trinity could be the surprise package in this group though. The last time they entered this competition, in 2012, they got to the quarter finals, and their last meetings with Dundrum 3 resulted in two 2013 victories. So Dublin University to advance.
Our eight predicted quarter finalists consist of five from Division 13, two from Division 14 and Ashbourne as the sole outsider. It's difficult to look past those five Division 13 teams, and any of Phoenix 5, Railway Union 6, Laois 3, Dublin University 3 and Swords 2 have a decent chance of being 2015 Russell Court Trophy Champions.