As the patchy drizzle caused fleeting interruptions and the biting wind made multiple layers a necessity - for both players and spectators alike - one would have been forgiven for retreating to inner sanctuaries at stages during the opening weekend. Besides, the final stages of the Heineken Cup and the showdown at the summit of the Premier League fixated many eyes and minds. It was almost like the sporting gods were questioning whether it was that time of the year again.
Now, however, that summer has moved one step closer, April has turned to May and Munster’s exploits on the continent are over for another year, cricket can firmly take centre stage and head the bill. Just as a new chat show pulls out all the stops on its honeymoon period with star-studded guests, the next six days of uninterrupted domestic, interprivincial and international action is an A-list line-up.
On Bank Holiday Monday, those who blundered the first fence in Division One and Two have the opportunity to get up and running, while the sides that started on the front foot have the chance to make a good start into the perfect one.
Andrew Balbirnie's superb century on Saturday helped the Leinster Lightning defeat the North West Warriors in the first Newstalk Interprovincial game of 2014. Unfortunately, his availability doesn't extend till Monday, when Pembroke make the trip to Milverton to face The Hills. The Foxes could do with Balbirnie's presence in the top-order after they crumbled to 77 all out last week. Theo Lawson will be hoping it was a minor hitch, however, and his young side can dust off the cobwebs and redeem themselves against an opposition devoid of the services of Max Sorensen once again.
His absence was felt last week as the hosts slipped to a comprehensive defeat to Railway Union but will be hell-bent on getting themselves on the board this time around. Their indomitable home form was a foundation of their title win last term and it will be once again key to whether the Skerries outfit can challenge again. Pembroke, meanwhile, have been boosted by the return of all-rounder Barry McCarthy, who will add firepower to both disciplines.
Over the past two seasons, Pembroke have consistently punched above their weight and although they were disappointing on the opening weekend, they will fancy their chances of condemning the Hills to their second home defeat.
The Hills: TBC
Pembroke: Theo Lawson (capt), Ryan Hopkins, Jono Cook, Allan Eastwood, Ryan Kelly, Paul Lawson, Barry McCarthy, David Murphy, Robin Russell, Fiachra Tucker, Lorcan Tucker (wk).
Both YMCA and Railway Union will have been content with their efforts - and indeed results - last week and the pair meet at Claremont Road. The visitors have been severely dented by the loss of captain Kevin O’Brien for this local derby while YM have new signing PJ Moor at their disposal for the first time. The Zimbabwean, who has an Irish passport, has only just arrived in the country but slots straight into the side, at the expense of Alan Lewis, in the only change from last week.
In both Division One games at Claremont Road so far, the surface was variable in bounce, conditions in which YM’s arsenal of spinners thrived. Simmi Singh stared up front with his off-spin, taking three wickets against North County, but Albert van der Merwe and Yaqoob Ali are also likely to play a big part against a Railway side who's batting defects were masked by a half-century from Pat Collins last week. It was a similar story for YM, who were indebted to a sixth wicket partnership of 92 between Jack Tector and Robbie Garth to dig themselves out of a hole. The onus will be on both batting line-ups to perform considerably better and show application in early-season conditions.
For the guests, Collins takes the reigns in O’Brien’s absence and is no stranger to shouldering the extra responsibility. However, if Railway are to harbour any hopes of making the short hop back across Sandymount with the points then Kenny Carroll and returning Paddy Conliffe will need to provide sufficient support. If those three can provide the platform, then there are dangerous players lower down who can cause substantial damage. Tim Townsend, meanwhile, comes in for Alex Hornsby in the only other change for the Park Avenue side. It has all the makings of a tightly fought contest but one would have to back the home side on this occasion.
YMCA: Albert van der Merwe (capt), Tom Fisher, Aaron Bailey, PJ Moor, Simmi Singh, Jack Tector, Robbie Garth, Sean McCauley, Bobby Gamble, Yaqoob Ali, JJ Cassidy (wk).
Railway Union: Pat Collins (capt), Abu Baker, Kenny Carroll, Patrick Conliffe, Ciaran Divney (wk), Rachit Guar, Greg Lambert, Mo Tariq, Tim Townsend, Josh Uddin, Saad Ullah.
For North County and Clontarf, who meet at Inch, Phil Simmons’ Irish squad selection has vastly disparate implications. The visitors must contend with the loss of Andrew Poynter and Cusack for the trip to Balrothery while North County can include John Mooney and Eddie Richardson in their side after the pair were overlooked for the Sri Lankan games.
It swings the game firmly in their favour, and with Adam Coughlan’s return boosting the top-order, North County have a full-strength side fit and raring to go. The bowlers impressed at Claremont Road while the addition of Tim Affleck gives an extra dimension to the attack alongside the fast-bowlers. The overseas recruit will, however, predominatly be required to contribute with the bat at the top of the order and relieve some of the burden that was placed on Mooney’s shoulders against YM. Ian Betram completes the XI, coming in for teenager Niall McGovern.
North County: Conor Sheil (capt), Ciaran Garry, Eddie Richardson, John Mooney, Tim Affleck, Conor Armstrong, Ian Bertram, Tomas Sheil, Nathan Rooney, Jamie Grassi (wk), Adam Coughlan, Kashif Ali (12th man).
Clontarf: Eoghan Delany (capt), Bill Coghlan, Robert Forrest (wk), Vijay Gopal, Colin Currie, Adrian D'arcy, Zander vd Merwe, Joe Morrissey, David Delany, Connor D'arcy, Paul Ryan.
After edging Pembroke in a low-scoring affair last Sunday, Merrion - many people’s favourites - will be happy to return to home comforts when they welcome Terenure to Anglesea Road. Dom Joyce’s side went along way to justifying their frontrunners tag with a ruthless bowling display - skittling the Foxes for just 77 - but made hard work of the chase before getting over the line with three wickets to spare.
They’ll be hoping for a more comfortable afternoon’s work on Monday against a newly-promoted side, who despite losing captain Tom Fisher days before the new season, made a good account of themselves at Castle Avenue. Ultimately, their lack of depth in both the bowling and batting ranks was exposed and is likely to be their shortcoming this season. For Merrion, Dave Watkins and Rob Ensor drop out with Damien Poder and Hugh Kennedy their replacements.
Merrion: Dominic Joyce (capt), Brett Thompson, Tyrone Kane, John Anderson, Ben Ackland, Damien Poder, Hugh Kennedy, Deon Carolus, Jeff Short, Tyler Smyth (wk), Tom Stanton.
Terenure: TBC
Division One Fixtures: Week Two
(12.30pm start)
In Division Two, forty-eight hours after their trip to Cork was postponed, Leinster make the rather shorter trip to Sydney Parade to face Pembroke II, who's first fixture also fell victim of the weather before they lost the Twenty20 refix by 43 runs on Tuesday. Merrion II's made 141/6 at Anglesea Road but in reply, the visitors could only manage 98 in a disappointing chase.
Malahide - who begin their season a week later than everyone else because of the odd number of teams in the second-tier - host Rush. Reinhardt Strydom begins his second stint at the Village while Fintan McAllister and fast-bowler Peter Chase are also included by the hosts. Elsewhere, Phoenix will be hoping to build on last week’s triumph over Rush when they face Merrion II while Dublin University make the trip south to meet Cork County.
Division Two Fixtures: Week Two
(12.30pm start)
Malahide: Callum Riches (capt), Fintan McAllister (wk), Reinhardt Strydom, Jim Govan, George Deans, David Arnold, Peter Chase, Cameron Shoebridge, Alessandro Morris, Peter Saville, Ian Guerin.
Rush: TBC
Pembroke II: TBC
Leinster (v Pembroke II): Craig Mallon (capt), Gareth Delany, Adam Ward, JP O’Dwyer, Jack Kerrison (wk), Conor O’Gorman, Alan Godfrey, Bilal Azhar, Rob Kenealy, Peter Byrne, A Another.
Phoenix: David Ford (capt), Richie Lawrence, Masud Ahmed, Rory Anders, Emmanuel Peterson, Sayed Ali, Jonty Wardell, Tom Anders, Ben White, Eoin Cleere, Sim Singh.
Merrion II: K. Beasley (capt), C. O'Donoghue, N. Brown, J. Blakeney, S. Morrissey, C. Allwright, A. O'Brien, A.Raghavan, W. Baird, N. Sharma, R. Bridge.
Cork County (v DU): TBC
Dublin University: Richard Forrest (capt), Wil Vohn Behr, Conor Hoey, Josh Tasman Jones, Wian Verwoerd, Rex Walsh, Mark Strong, Kevin O’Connor, Vishnu Monanan, Finlay Glen, Soumya Banerjee.