It is not often that a Tuesday in late June proves to be a crucial one, but with fifteen matches across the province today there is plenty to be decided on the pitch.
Rain across the middle of the day will hopefully not cause too many problems, but if it does, we have a quick recap below on what will happen with the various matches.
There are five youth matches, with games taking place from under 13 to under 17, in Phoenix, Pembroke, Leinster, Clontarf and a combined Railway Union/Terenure/Pembroke team. YMCA are the away side in five of those matches, with Malahide and Railway Union also travelling. Full youth fixtures can be found at http://www.cricketleinster.ie/fixtures/category/youth-schools/year/2017
In Women's Division 2, The Hills 2 host Clontarf 1, Malahide 2 host Rush 1 whilst in Division 3, North Kildare 2 travel to play Phoenix 2. All those matches will be refixed if not completed.
The YMCA Salver has reached its semi final stage, with the main point of interest being YMCA 3's quest to become the first team from the club to win the trophy that bears its name. They play Railway Union 3, whilst in the northern half of the draw Ringcommons 1 play Balbriggan 2. Those matches must be completed (with overs not being able to be reduced lower than 20 overs). Captains may agree a bowl out if the match is not completed - alternatively, they will be refixed.
On top of that, there are no fewer than five Open Comps, Division 1 and 2 refixes, with many having a bearing on league positions. These matches cannot be reduced below 20 overs, and if a result is not possible, then it will be eight points each.
In Division 1, Pembroke travel to Clontarf. Of course there is still a long way to go in the season (we're not even half way yet), but Pembroke must be thinking they have to win if they are going to have a crack at the league title. North County host Phoenix, and the home side cannot afford another loss if they are to catch the leaders, of which Phoenix are one. Phoenix's season may have started off with thoughts of league survival, but has quickly developed into a strong run to the top of the table. Although a loss tonight wouldn't be terminal to their league aspirations, they have to keep winning with Clontarf breathing down their necks.
The final Division 1 match takes place in Laois, with YMCA the home side against Cork County. The 2016 Cricket Ireland Club of the Year, Cork COunty are having a horror season in 2017, and it is difficult to see them leaving Togher with a win tonight, YMCA's season didn't start in the best form either, but they may have turned the corner and another win would push them towards the middle of the table. Interestingly, the postponed YMCA vs Leinster match (which looks as if it could be crucial in the deciding of league places in the bottom half of the table) has been refixed for August 27th .For much of the season, that match will be hanging over the two teams.
In Division 2, champions elect Merrion host North Kildare, the latter who have already sprung many surprises this year. This may be beyond North Kildare, but they are in a win win situation - everyone expects them to lose, but who knows?
The final match today sees Rush host Malahide. The differences between the two teams may seem massive in the table (Malahide third with 100 points, and Rush sixth with 50 points), but in reality it is just down to the luck of the draw. Rush played a full strength Dublin University and lost, Malahide played an under strength Dublin University and won. Expect a close one.