Division 10
2014 Champion - Slieve Bloom 1 (predicted "a top 3 finish")
2014 Champion predicted - Merrion 6 (finished 3rd)
2011-14 Top run scorer: Sean Smith (Pembroke, 2011-14) 813 @ 23.91
2011-14 Top wicket taker: Sean Smith (Pembroke, 2011-14) 49 @ 19.61
It has been said many times that 1st team cricket is the cricket that really gets the pulse racing. The passion that comes from the ups and downs generated by the best eleven players in a club is unmatched, however close knit a 3rd or 4th team maybe.
And because of that, Division 10 this season promises to be an absolute cracker. Four first teams take their place in this division - Slieve Bloom, Swords, Dundalk and Ringcommons, and with Longford 2, Terenure 3, Railway Union 5 and Leinster 5 providing the "rest", it should be a division to savour.
As with other leagues, the overall position of clubs in the league ladder is being used to give an indication of where a club stands after last year's re-organisation. The champions in Division 10 this season will be 73rd in the league, with the bottom places club at 80th.
Ringcommons 1 have hardly been out of the headlines since coming back into league cricket in 2012. They marked the 30th anniversary of their previous league title with the Division 13 trophy in 2012, and after another successful year in 2013 experienced the agony of relegation last year. That relegation was equivalent to 76th in the league, which would suggest mid table this year. Initial views of Ringcommons' playing strength this year seem to suggest a slight fall is possible, but with so much quality in the side, they may stave off relegation - possibly a 6th place.
Leinster 5 last won a league title in 1996, and have been going slowly backwards for the passed few seasons. 58th in 2011 became 75th last year, and they need to halt the slide. However, good records against the other teams they have previously played (Swords, Railway Union, Terenure and Ringcommons) shows they are capable. Perhaps a drop of one place on last year, which would mean 4th in the league.
The most decorated team in this octet is Terenure 3, with six league titles, in two spells. They had three wins between 1960 and 1970, before another spurt of three titles between 1993 and 2010. They have also been very consistent in the last few years, finishing between 70th and 73rd each year. Indications are that Terenure 3 may be a bit weaker this year, and they haven't a winning record against anyone else. That could all add up to a tough year, and we think they may prop up the division in 8th place.
Longford 2 had the dream debut season last year, lifting the Division 11 quaich at the annual awards dinner. This season promises to be a whole lot tougher. Although they have yet to play any of their opponents, a clue as to their fate can be found by the reality of their finishing position last year - 86th. Even to avoid relegation, they need to improve by a massive eight places, and against good opposition that just doesn't seem likely. We're going for a return to Division 11 and 7th place.
Railway Union 5th's long wait for a league trophy now stretches back to 1982. And it is difficult to see that wait coming to an end this year! They have finished 78th for the last two years, and that is probably an accurate reflection of where they will be come September. Poor records against Ringcommmons, Slieve Bloom and Leinster reveal the uphill struggle they will be attempting, but as with most big clubs, they should be able to pull a few players from the woodwork to survive. Perhaps a one place improvement from last year to 5th?
Even if Slieve Bloom's enthusiasm was the only thing they had going for them, they would be a decent outfit. But the Kilcormac team can perform on the field as well, and as reigning Division 10 champions, confidence will be high. After finishing 85th in 2013, that title equated to 77th last year. They will improve more this time around, but whether that 77th can be improved to the required 73rd or 74th is the big unknown. There are some good teams around, and Slieve Bloom 1 may just lose out with 3rd place.
Swords 1 are still looking for a big breakthrough, having been at roughly the same level since their 2012 debut. That is no bad thing either, and they have become a hard team to beat. Last year they were 74th, down four from their 2013 high point of 70th. That points towards a top two place, and we'll go for 2nd.
That just leaves Dundalk. The Division 11 champions in 2011 have experienced the highs and lows of league cricket, and there may be more to come this year. 81st in that title winning year, before massive improvement to 65th and 59th and then disappointment and relegation last year with 67th place. They are used to playing at a much higher level, and even if they had their worst season since 2011, they would still be top of the heap. So we think Dundalk 1 are going to bounce back from 2014, and be this year's champions.
The first match is on Saturday 18th April, when the two 5th teams, Railway Union and Leinster clash in Park Avenue.