RSA Division 8
2012 Champion - Clontarf 4
2011-12 Top run scorer: R Valson (Balbriggan) 718 runs at 59.83
2011-12 Top wicket taker: A Qasim (Balbriggan) 44 wkts at 11.70
Division 8 throws up some exciting possibilities, with most clubs having reason to think they can be top of the pile come September. But which do we think will come top? Read on.
Four first teams are in this division, and all will be in the shake up for promotion. Adamstown's progression has been well documented, but whether they can acheive successive promotions is open to question. Dundalk are in exactly the same position. Masses of potential, will definitely move higher, but whether it will be this year, I'm not sure.
Halverstown 1 were in Division 8 last year, and know what to do to compete at this level, probably a similar position (5th) to last year. That leaves one more first team, Wicklow County. The club has had a fairly tumultuous few years, but was playing in Division 3 a few seasons back. They still have some of the players who were good Division 3 players, and they should find it too easy in Division 8. Aravon School will provide a different challenge to Oakhill though!
We fancy the two second teams to do well as well. Dundrum 2 are chasing their 1sts up the league ladder. They narrowly missed out on promotion last year, and will not miss out again. Civil Service 2 finished third in Division 9 in 2012, so don't look one of the leading contenders on first glance. Civil Service are a big club though, and will be keen to do well in 2013 - their 150th anniversary.
The contenders keep on coming though. The Hills 3 were relegated from Division 7 last year, but there is no reason why a club of The Hills's stature should have a 3rd team so low Could they bounce staright back?
That leaves Leinster 4 and Malahide 4. Amongst the diamonds in the division, these two look like peices of coal, and will be mid-table at best.
So a top three of Wicklow County 1, Dundrum 2 and The Hills 2, with Adamstown 1 and Dundalk 1 chasing them hard