Division 15
2014 Champion: This is the first year for the new Division 15
2014 Champion predicted: N/A
2011-14 Top run scorer: N/A
2011-14 Top wicket takers: N/A
Division 15 is another new division in Cricket Leinster's league structure for 2015, it's existence thanks to the growth of playing numbers over the past few seasons. Unlike Division 16, these teams are mostly seasoned campaigners; grizzled veterans who have been there, and done it.
The champion of Division 15 will finish in 113th place in the league structure, which is equivalant to second place in 2014's Division 14. Last place in this league is the same as bottom of Division 14 last year.
Greystones 3 are in their third year of league cricket, and will be finding their feet. They will need a top two finish in order to improve on their position last year, and we think they may do it. The team have a good record against nearly all their rivals in the division, although there is one exception in Merrion 8 - in two matches, Merrion have won both. Our favourites to be Division 15 champions.
Merrion 8 finished one place below Greystones 3 in 2014, and it looks like the same fate may befall them this year. Although they have beaten Greystones 3 in those two previous meetings, their record against teams such as Rush 4 (0-1) and Civil Service 4 (0-2) is not as good. Possibly runners up spot (114th), although that is some way below their best finish of 106th in 2011.
Dundalk 2 have had a sticky few seasons, although perhaps not sticky enough, as they have been slowly slipping down the ladder. Since their debut in 2012, they have slipped from 96th to last year's 110. Whatever happens this year they will be below that, and with previous matches against only Rush 4 (1-0) and Clontarf 6 (1-4) they may stop the rot, and finish in mid table.
Rush 4 have more titles than anyone else amongst their rivals. Starting with the 1963 Junior A title, they have won four leagues, the last being Junior C in 2003. They are another team that has slowly slipped in recent years, down from 99th in 2011 to last year's 111. They haven't made acquaintances with Greystones yet, but have winning records against Merrion 8, and Civil Service 4. Third place could be a possibility.
Of the eight teams in Division 15, it is Civil Service 4 who have tasted glory most recently. They lifted the Division 12 crown back in 2010, but after a poor season in 2014, need to bounce back. Anything better than 5th would be an improvement on last year, and they should do it. They have a poor record against Greystones and Rush, but should win enough games against the others to seal a top half position.
Since their first year in 2012, Balbriggan 3 have fluctuated between 114th and 119th in the ladder, meaning a 6th place would be an improvement for the team. However, they lose more matches than they win against nearly all their opponents, and that gives a hint that it may be a struggle. No previous matches against Dundalk 2, and a win in the sole match against Rush 4 indicate a glimmer of light. 6th place should be seen as a success.
Clontarf 6 have had a barren spell for a team that you would think would be laden with trophies. Their last league title was Junior C back in 1997. After being a side in the mid 90s for the last few seasons, 2014 brought about a downturn in form, and they finished 6th in Division 14. That should be a temporary blip though, and they have shown themselves to be capable of beating all the other teams they will come up against. Perhaps 4th?
That just leaves Phoenix 6. They were bottom of the league pile in 2014 - 120th and last. Whatever happens in 2015, they will be above that. The question is how far above that. They haven't played Dundalk 2 or Rush 4, and have losing records against Clontarf 6 and Merrion 8. The matches against Balbriggan 3 will be crucial (Phoenix won the only meeting between them since 2011). Win those matches and they could lift themselves from the bottom.
The first match of the season is an inter county affair, as Dundalk 2 travel south to play Rush 4 in North County Dublin on Sunday 26th April.