Since the YMCA Salver started it's distinguished history in 1990, there have been two very distinct phases. In the first nineteencompetitions, the 3rd XI's of Dublin clubs monopolised the winner's enclosure. Those winners were many (if not varied) - Pembroke (1990, 1995 and 2001), Old Belvedere (1991, 1996), Merrion (1992), The Hills (1993, 1999, 2008), Clontarf (1997), Railway Union (1998, 2007), Phoenix (2002) and Leinster (2004, 2009) with only Rush 2 (1994), North Kildare 1 (2003) and North Wicklow (2006) breaking the 3rd team's stranglehold.
But that 2009 for Leinster 3 was the last time a third team won the competition - Laois 2 and Dundrum 1 have since won the competition twice each, and there's a good chance of a similar result this year, despite Dundrum 1 having been promoted to the Tillain Cup.
Twelve of the twenty-two teams are not 3rd XIs, and due to the vagaries of the draw, those twelve are guaranteed one semi-final spot, with a pretty good chance of another.
The quarter of the draw with all 1st and 2nd teams involves Dundrum 2/ Greystones 1 (the winners taking on Sandyford 1, with Terenure 2 hosting Wicklow County 1 in the other match. Sandyford are the only Divisionb 5 amongst that quintet, and will start as favourites.
Another quarter of the draw has tournament favourites Laois 2, along with North Kildare 2, Adamstown 1, Civil Service 2, Castleknock 1 and Phoenix 3.
Elsewhere, the South City part of the draw has the winners of Leinster 3 and Merrion 3 facing Pembroke 3, with Railway Union 3 and YMCA 3 (drawn together yet again) the other 1st round match.
Finally, the Fingal draw (along with one team from Dublin 3), has Balbriggan 2 taking on Clontarf 3,(with the winners playing Malahide 3) and North County 3 locking horns with Rush 2 (the winners playing The Hills 3).
Clontarf 3 look the strong favourites in this part of the draw, and wil fancy themselves to be hosting Laois 2 in the first semi-final.