2014 Season Review - Division 9

How the league was won - Three teams had a good chance to win Division 9 in 2014. One did, and the other two are probably kicking themselves. The next three teams were much closer to the top than they were with the bottom, and we'll start with them.

Terenure 3 won a massive eight games (the teams below them won no more than four games). There was no real rhyme nor reason to their season, but it is best summed up by them beating runners up North County, as well as losing to bottom placed Ringcommons. Sandyford 2 were one of the preseason favourites, and started strongly. They won their first three matches, before losing the five on the bounce. A slight recovery in August and September was welcome, if a little late. Mullingar 2 took a while to get going this season. Their first win was at the fourth attempt, with a Condell/Nautiyal inspired 9 wicket win over Greystones. Their season was a bit disjointed (not always Mullingar's fault), and they never really threatened at the top, whilst never looking like struggling either.

Greystones 2 must be looking back on their season with a touch of frustration. They beat North County twice, but also lost to Mullingar twice. They simply didn't get round to playing Ringcommons at home. If they had won that match, and overturned a two wicket defeat to Phoenix, they would have been champions. If, if, if..... North County had a pretty disappointing season as a club, but the 4th team were the shining light. Of the fourteen players who regularly turned out in the league, seven were under 19, and seven were, cough, cough - a good bit older. That makes for a perfect mix. After losing to Phoenix and Greystones early in the season, they won their next eight. A late season loss to Terenure proved crucial.

That leaves champions Phoenix 4. They didn't lose until July 6th, and at that stage the title was nearly wrapped up. They did their best (losing to Mullingar and Sandyford), but recovered strongly to take a well deserved Division 9 title.

How dreams turned to nightmares -  Swords 1 had a below par time of it, only staying up due to Ringcommons' problems. They only won three matches, but crucially two of those were over Leinster 5, and that was enough to stay above the Rathmines side. It was only two years ago that Leinster 5 were a mid table Division 8 side, so relegation will be a crushing blow. They were in trouble in mid season, and then didn't win again after July 27th.

Ringcommons 1's season is encapsulated by the mini title of this section. They have been living the dream since their rebirth, winning Division 13 in 2012, and being runner-up in Division 10 last year. Division 9/2014 was a lot tougher. Availability of key players wasn't great, and the squad couldn't do enough to win crucial games.

Heroes with the willow - Before 2014, only six players had scored more than 350 runs in a Division 9 season, and those six make a pretty illustrious list (Josh Uddin (Halverstown/Railway Union), Alex Mathews (Dundrum), Umar Saleem (Knockharley), Furqan Saqi (North County), James Meier (YMCA) and Joe Murphy (North County)). This year though, there were runs a-plenty. Another North County stalwart, Michael Murphy scored 367 at 45.88; Manpreet Singh (Greystones) scored 402 at 36.55; Danny Hogan (Terenure) scored 462 at 66.00; Srikanth Boddu (Sandyford) hit 509 at 56.56 and Greystones' Eoin Lenehan came top with an astounding 526 at 47.82.

Ronan Kane of Sandyford had been top on the career front, with 540 runs. He has now been overtaken by 16 year old Danny Hogan of Terenure who now has 912 Division 9 runs at 39.65. It is a safe bet that the Ireland u17 player will not be playing in Division 9 again, and will not be adding to that total - not for another 20 years anyway!  
 

Hell for leather - Patrick Mount's 2013 Division 9 record of 29 wickets in a season remains intact - just . Gordon Millar made his debut in Leinster cricket this season, and quickly settled into the run of things, taking 28 wickets at 10.46, leading Phoenix's title winning attack. Three others passed the 20 wicket barrier - Aaron O'Neill (Terenure), Anthony Mooney (North County) and Monjur Ahmad (Phoenix)

Varun Walia of Adamstown had been the leading Division 9 wicket taker, but with Adamstown now playing higher up the leagues, number one spot was up for grabs. It was taken by Patrick Mount of Mullingar who followed up his record breaking 2013 with another solid season. He now has 50 wickets at 16.09

Days to remember - There were four worthy performances in Division 9 this season, and all warrant being mentioned here. John Andrews has achieved many things in his illustrious career, and whilst this one may not sit at the top table, his 7-16 for North County against Ringcommons was the best Division 9 bowling this season, and the 6th best in all Open Competitions.

Only nine Open Comps players scored over 150 in an innings this year, and the aforementioned Danny Hogan of Terenure was one of them. His 151* against North County in September made sure that it was Phoenix that lifted the title and not North County.
 
Leinster 5 were in big trouble at 116-6 against Terenure 3 on July 12th. Jamshaid Butt (61) and David Lappin (49*) then added 117 runs as Leinster made a match winning 234-7. It was the highest 7th wicket partnership in the Open Competitions this year.

Leinster were on the receiving end of the final "Day to Remember". They had North County at 142-7 chasing a distant 244 to win when Zia Mohyuddin joined Safdar Ali at the crease. Mohyuddin contributed 37* and stayed with Safdar until he got his hundred (102*) as North County won by 2 wickets. It was the highest 8th wicket partnership in the Open Comps this year.

Stat you may have missed - 52 players who played in Division 9 this season were making their debut in Cricket Leinster. Only one of these 52 passed the 200 run/10 wicket barrier - Sinto John of Greystones

Batting (Qualification - 100 runs)

Bowling (Qualification - 10 wickets)