On paper, Clontarf 4 should be the team to beat in the 2014 RSA Middle 2 Cup. At least they were on the first sheet of paper I had before me. The second attempt revealed a slightly more complicated picture.
Clontarf 4 are the reigning champions, after beating Civil Service 2 (now in the Intermediate Cup) in last year's final, and were runners up in 2012. They start their defence this year to fellow Division 7 side Wexford Wanderers 1. There has only been one meeting between the two in the last three years, and Wexford won that by 27 runs (in July 2013), so the tie is not a foregone conclusion by any stretch of the imagination.
So why the doubt about Clontarf's chances? Well, the two teams relegated from Division 5 last year, Sandyford 1 and Laois 2 have been placed in the Middle 2 Cup - Laois 2 at the club's request. Along with two other sides in Division 6, Knockharley 1 and North Kildare 2, this quartet will present Clontarf with formidable opposition.
Sandyford will host Dundrum 2 (the 2012 Middle 2 Cup runners up) in the first round, Dundrum 2 have a 2-2 record against Sandyford.....but that is against Sandyford 2 and the first team should be of too high a standard.
Laois 2 have dropped from Division 5 to Division 7, and Laois may be anticipating them to be weaker than in previous years, but even then will provide a tough first round tie for the 2011 Middle 2 Cup winners, Merrion 5. The Anglesea Road side has not played against any Laois team in the last three years.
Knockharley 1 were one of the sides promoted from Division 7 last year (Greystones 1 were the other), and as such, will be saddled with a joint-favourites tag. They will have to do it the hard way, being drawn at the bottom of the draw, They start with a trip to The Hills 3, a team who they have beaten on their previous two encounters, both in 2012.
The fourth of the quartet is North Kildare 2, who will face Dundalk 1 in which will be the first ever conpetitive match between the two clubs. Dundalk 1 are in Division 8, and will have to play out of their skins to beat their Division 6 counterparts.
So those five are the teams to beat. There are three more ties, and knowing my luck/skill, the winners will probably end up coming from these matches.
Adamstown 1 have been racing up the league structure, now residing in Division 7, and will fancy their chances against Division 8 side Leinster 4. Leinster 4 have been a bit of an up and down side in recent seasons - they managed to beat Adamstown last year, before being relegated.
Bagenalstown 1 had a tough year in 2013, and have a tricky away tie against Balbriggan 2. Both of the matches between these two sides in 2013 produce massive Balbriggan wins, so it would be difficult to see past a repeat. The final match up sees Pembroke 4 of Division 7 play Wicklow County 1 of Division 8. The sides have no recent history, but Pembroke look to be favourites to travel to Balbriggan in the second round.
That's my uninformed opinion anyway!