IBI CORPORATE FINANCE FIRST TEAM LEAGUE PREVIEW – ROUND 6 (JUNE 21ST)

The IBI Corporate Finance First Team League has now seen everyone face each other once, with the exception of The Hills and North Kildare, who round out their first set on July 4^th in a refixed tie.

Knockharley sit atop the table having won four of their first five games at the level, with even a full points victory for North Kildare in their game in hand only putting them within two points of the leaders. The Hills are another 6.5 points behind the Maws’ outfit, whilst Adamstown, who started the season brightly with two wins are still on that number, ahead of Terenure and Cork Harlequins who have both claimed a scalp each.

This weekend’s action sees a full slate, as in Oak Hill, Adamstown host Terenure, whilst North Kildare make the trip to Farmers Cross to take on Cork Harlequins. Finally, in Kentstown, The Hills are the visitors to Knockharley in a crucial top-of-the-table battle.

ADAMSTOWN VS TERENURE

We kick off this weekend in Oak Hill, where Adamstown are yet to claim a league victory in their adopted home as yet in three attempts, in spite of a couple of very strong batting performances. Sid Biju and Angad Bawa lead the way with the bat, Bawa in fine form last weekend against Cork Harlequins, hammering 75 off just 45 balls to open proceedings. Shreyas Rajesh has appeared at number three in a couple of fixtures, whilst the real stars are at 4 and 5, where the season’s two centurions, Prashanth Prabhu Damodaran and Dinesh Antony Kidagan David reside. All three of them got off to strong starts last week and the Adamstown faithful will have been disappointed not to see at least one of them going on to make a big score. The bowling may be hampered somewhat this week depending on the fitness of Shravon Biju, who has been a revelation this season however did not bowl in Monday’s District Cup game due to injury, and whilst the all-round seam attack is strong, including Kidagan David, Nithin Namburu and Aryan Adelkar, the wicket-taking knack of Biju would be sorely missed. The spin will come from the usual duo of Jaivir Singh Oberoi and Arvind Olaganathan, both of whom will hope for more success on a helpful Oak Hill surface.

Terenure meanwhile are on a losing run that stretches back to when they were defeated by Adamstown on May 3^rd, and will need to bounce back if they are to retain hope in the league this season. Henry Dall continued his excellent form with the bat last weekend with 52, and whilst several of the top order have made a score at one stage or another this season, they will need to be more consistent. Mick Cotter and Tom Shand will continue at the top of the order, whilst the middle order sees the hard-hitting Sid Nair featuring alongside wicket-keeper Sophie Reid. On the bowling front, the side have searched for early wickets, and welcome Benjamin Dillon back to the seam attack this weekend alongside regular medium pacers Kripesh Shetty and Naveed Khan. The spin comes from Aamir Bafanda and Henry Dall, both of whom have been at the centre of Terenure’s bowling successes in recent weeks.

Terenure will be ultra keen to see the back of Prashanth Prabhu Damodaran early on this week, and having knocked him over once already this season, Benjamin Dillon’s return to the visiting side could well be the catalyst.

KEY BATTLE: Prashanth Prabhu Damodaran vs Benjamin Dillon

CORK HARLEQUINS VS NORTH KILDARE

Harlequins bounce into this weekend’s fixture against North Kildare off the back of a remarkable run chase against Adamstown last weekend, and with this game having been one of the highest scoring of the entire season in 2025, they will fancy a real crack off the side from The Maws. It was all change in the ‘Quins batting line-up last time out, Adam Hickey moving back up to the opening role he has fulfilled in previous forays into the Championship alongside Callum Stevenson, and that duo could prove dangerous if appearing together again. Vikranth Masina was a new man in the runs last time out, however the hero was the all-round exploits of Seanan Jones, undoubtedly the most experienced cricketer in this side, his unbeaten 86 last time out sees him suddenly catapulted back into being one of the main men with the bat. Jones will also lead the way ball in hand, with support set to come from Umer Khan. The spin comes from Hickey’s off-breaks, supported by the left-arm spin of Semeth Sumanasinghe, whilst a most interesting dynamic last weekend saw the most successful change bowlers not being used until number 8 and 9 in the list, it will be interesting to see do Preston Searra and Ibrahim Ahsan get another opportunity.

North Kildare meanwhile have needed their bowling to put themselves into strong positions this season, with Nazmus Monon and Abdul Aryan in particular standing out as the new ball pairing. Adnan Ahmadzai bowls a heavy ball as the third seamer, however beyond that trio it’s something of a trial by spin, with Asadullah Ahmadzai’s darts and Nurulain Boda’s mix of offies and arm-balls leading the way, before the options of the more flighted off-spinners of both Akhilesh Sharma and Josh Uddin appear at the bowling crease. The batting has revolved almost exclusively around the top three in this side, with Moize Haider and Asadullah Ahmadzai having become a strong partnership at the top of the order, however it’s number three Yash Kalasannavar that has been the form man once again this season, he made a half-century in their latest victory over Terenure, however there can be little doubt that he will need to marshal the middle order well if they are to put together a strong batting show.

Seanan Jones will be eyeing up back-to-back wins here for ‘Quins, and he will be fully aware of how important the wicket of his opposite number Yash Kalasannavar, if he gets the better of the classy left-hander, it will put the hosts on the front foot immediately.

KEY BATTLE: Seanan Jones vs Yash Kalasannavar

KNOCKHARLEY VS THE HILLS

The form team of the season so far, Knockharley, welcome The Hills to Kentstown for the first time this season, in what looks to be a massive fixture in the context of the league. The hosts batting is led by the hard-hitting Sayed Zubair at the top of the order, who is followed by Muhammad Nawaz and Ehtesham Ahmed, who will both look to bounce back from ducks last weekend. Sumit Singh and Mubeen Ali were their heroes last time out against Terenure, guiding the team home from a potentially tricky situation, and their presence in the middle order is sure to be vital once again. The bowling is led by the extremely accurate Ahmed Kayani and Jack Condie, who are likely to share the opening duties once again, whilst teenager Aabis Mirza will also feature, alongside Syed Medhi. Singh was the frontline spinner last time out, and they will be hoping to see Kashif Ali return to the side alongside him to offer some variety with his left-arm orthodox.

The Hills meanwhile will be playing their first league game since June 1^st after being on cup duty following a rain off in Round 4. They will be looking to the Sherzad brothers to get them off to a flying start with the bat, with Muzamil having led the way without making a huge score as yet, whilst Yaseen proved key to their progression in the National Cup with an unbeaten century. Liam Blackford at number three will no doubt be happy to face off against Knockharley once again, however his form has stagnated somewhat in the league in recent weeks. Joe Fletcher showed good form last weekend on all-Ireland duty, whilst the hard hitting of Nathan Rooney adds another completely different gear to the side. With the ball, skipper Matthew Weldon will lead the way alongside Killian McGrane, who’s opening spell is so often extremely consistent. There’s back-up in the seam bowling department from Tómas Murphy, as well as a pair of right-arm seam bowling Sherzads. The spinner in the team has been Will Archer in recent weeks, however there’s no doubt that the visitors will be bursting to see Febin Manoj return to the side should he do so this weekend.

This tie is set to be one where the start for The Hills is crucial with the ball, if Matthew Weldon can get the better of Sayed Zubair with the ball, Knockharley will be pushed back straight away.

KEY BATTLE: Sayed Zubair vs Matthew Weldon

IBI CORPORATE FINANCE FIRST TEAM LEAGUE

ROUND 6 – SUNDAY, JUNE 21^ST

ALL 12 NOON STARTS

At Oak Hill, Adamstown vs Terenure

At Farmers Cross, Cork Harlequins vs North Kildare

At Kentstown, Knockharley vs The Hills