Previews of Division 1 and 2 can get down to the nitty gritty. Who has joined? Who has left? Purely and simply, what players does the club have? There's little doubt that this year there is more interest in Division 2 than there has been for a while. Clontarf's first appearance in the second tier since 2003 has been the main ingredient behind the interest, but shrewd signings by Balbriggan and Terenure, along with a refresh looking Malahide, mean that their is an element of wonder in Divison 2 at last.
For all the oohs and aahs that surrounded some divisions in 2012, Division 3 was the one league that kept followers not so much on the edge of their seats, as in a perpetual mid air state somewhere beteen falling off the seat, and hitting the ground. Balbriggan spent most of the final day in a desperate battle to avoid relegation, before emerging as Division 3 champions. It was that sort of season. In many ways, not much has changed. Balbriggan 1, Merrion 2 and Civil Service 1 have been replaced by Laois 1, Malahide 2 and Cork County 1. and the eventual performance of these three teams will be crucial in the outcome of the division.
Division 4 is where the cricket gets (even more) serious. Teams need laptops and scorers. They need coloured clothing to play in the RSA National Cup. And the regulations are designed to mimic ODI's, so power plays, fiedling restrictions and Duckworth Lewis. There is also a delicious mix of teams, with some thrusting ambitious first teams, some second teams from clubs who's second teams should be doing a bit better, and a couple of third teams who must punch above their weight to even get to this level.
Division 7 has the honour of starting the 2013 season, with today's (Sat 13th April) match between Clontarf 4 and Wexford Wanderers 1. Will either of those teams have a pennant on their table come the annual dinner in the Autumn?
Preview of RSA Division 11. A tight division, with new clubs, and existing heavyweights, No clear favourites though, so we'll go for Wexford Wanderers to take the division come September
