The Open Competitions Committee's laudable experiment to provide more midweek T20 cricket for all cricketers, wasn't quite embraced by clubs, who by and large weren't interested. Research carried out by Cricket Leinster suggests that the single biggest thing that brings those that have stopped playing cricket back to the sport is T20 cricket - but at the weekends rather than during the week. Until administrators work out how to squeeze more cricket on to grounds at weekends (an answer may be found in the fact that although many grounds are at capacity, many others are not), we see a return to the 2015 format for all lower T20 competitions.
The Russell Court Trophy is the "lowest" of Cricket Leinster's T20 competitions, and is now in its sixth season, with AIB 1 and Laois 3 the only teams in this year's draw to be previous winners. That is mainly due to the fluidity of lower division cricket, with many teams rapidly moving up the league ranks, and qualifying for higher cup competitions. For 2017, this cup includes teams from divisions 11 to 16, as well as Phoenix 6 who are playing in this year's Development league instead.
That fluidity means that very few teams have played against each other, and any tips come with a health warning - with a couple of exceptions standing out.
The top eighth of the draw will see Castleknock 3 play the winners of Balbriggan 4 and North Kildare 4. Castleknock have been heavily involved in the transfer market already this year, and could well be a bit stronger at third team level. They are also a Division 14 team, to North Kildare 4's Division 15, and Balbriggan's Division 16, and should advance from this part of the draw.
The next eighth of the draw is a simple first match between 2014 winner Laois 3 and Mullingar 3. It is a fact of modern life that away teams in mid week competitions always find it harder, and that already hinders Mullingar who face an hour long trip via Tullamore - a long drive on a Wednesday evening.
Malahide 5 will host Tyrrelstown 1 in a preliminary round match, with the winners playing Civil Service 4. Malahide 5 have not played in T20 competitions too much in recent years, and alhtough untested, are also one of only five Division 13 teams in the draw. That pedigree should see them past Tyrrelstown and Civil Service. Tyrrelstown have been spending their formative years doing well in cup competitions, and as they are entering league cricket for the first time in 2017, may be capable of a surprise. Both will fancy felling Civil Service 4 at home in the first round proper.
Phoenix 6 have a fascinating prelimiary round match against Ringcommons 2, with the outcome of the match very much dependent on how strong a team Ringcommons assemble in their first ever season. Only those in Ringcommons at the moment know the answer to that, but as it normally takes a couple of years for a team to find their feet, Phoenix may edge it. The winners will then host Clontarf 6, who don't have a great T20 record, but who should be good enough to progress.
AIB 1 play Leinster 6 in a first round match, and there is no getting away from the fact that AIB are the team to beat. They are the defending champions, as well as being runners up in 2015. And that is the end of the story for this particular tie - Leinster just got a bad draw!
The next part of the draw sees the winners of two preliminary matches meet int he first round. Clondalkin 2 play their first season of competitive cricket, and they travel to Greystones 3. No history for the fixture, but as stated abive, Greystones should edge this one. The other match sees Adamstown 4 host Halverstown 1. Halverstown have lost their last two matches against Adamstown, but that was against the club's third string. A tight one in prospect, but the home side should sneak through, with Adamstown then pipping Greystones in the next round.
Railway Union 5 have an awful T20 record, losing their last four matches. That record has to come to an end at some point, and this year could be the year, as they pay Wicklow County 2 in Bray. Wicklow got to the semi final of this competition in 2014, but the sides met in 2016, with Railway winning. If Railway advance, they should get through to the quarter finals - they have beaten Pembroke 5 the last three times they have played them.
The very last tie in the draw sees Merrion 8 host Gorey 1, playing in their first ever season. Distance and first season syndrome will make it tough for Gorey, and Merrion should advance.
We're tipping the semi finalists to be Castleknock 3, Railway Union 5, AIB 1 and Clontarf 6, with AIB beating Castleknock in the final - to be held in Railway Union CC on July 23.
NB Article edited on Feb 20th to accurately reflect results of research