Open Competitions - Key Update for Clubs - 2019/2020

Over the 2017/2018 winter and during the 2018 season, various potential league and cup structures were discussed by Focus Groups, the OCC and the Cricket Committee.

As a result of this process, it is now intended by the Cricket Committee to table some broad-based proposals for discussion and debate as part of the Club Day which is scheduled for Sunday 4th November 2018 in the Green Isle Hotel, Clondalkin. It is further intended that the proposals to be discussed at the Club Day would ultimately be implemented from the 2020 season onwards. This extended timeframe is to allow adequate space for consultation, planning, refinement, transition etc.

In the interim, it is universally accepted that the existing ‘Division 2’ structure needs reform to provide for more meaningful and competitive cricket at that level in 2019 and that this needs to be addressed in early course.

Accordingly, the Cricket Committee has asked the OCC to plan on the following basis for 2019:

• The Premier Division will remain as an 8-team league with normal relegation and promotion based on performance and league position.
• The team that finishes in last place in the Premier League in 2018 will play in Division 2 in 2019.
• The team that finishes top of Division 2 in 2018 will be promoted to the Premier League for 2019.
• There will be a play-off fixture on 15th or 16th September between the 7th place team in the Premier League and the 2nd placed team in Division 2. The winner of this match will play in the Premier League in 2019. (Should this match be washed out the 7th place team in the Premier League will be relegated to Division 2 and the 2nd placed team in Division 2 will be promoted to the Premier League).
• Division 2 will be extended for the 2019 season by the promotion of the two teams which finish top of Division 3 at the end of the 2018 season. This will create a 9-team Division 2 for 2019 inclusive of Dublin University Cricket Club which will compete on the same basis as this season (playing all other clubs once during the first half of the season). To facilitate this change, fixtures for Division 2 will not be centrally fixed for 2019 allowing clubs to make fixtures for this league as they wish.

It is understood that this approach to the extension of Division 2 for 2019 will have some knock-on benefit in terms of the potential for promotion and movement of teams in leagues below Division 2. As always, the preferences of clubs in this regard will also be taken into consideration in determining the final placing of teams by the OCC for the 2019 season.

There will be separate guidance issued at a later stage in respect of the Alan Murray Cup competition, where changes will be minimised for 2019. The format for the Senior and Senior 2 Cups will remain unchanged for 2019 with the exception that the Senior Cup will be played in coloured clothing with a white ball as was originally intended for this season.

The Cricket Committee is very committed to ensuring that our league and cup structures are fit-for-purpose at all times and in particular that they reflect the best possible balance between our performance and participation objectives - in that regard, we look forward to some great discussions at the Club Day and all relevant reading materials will be issued in advance to facilitate preparatory thinking by those attending on behalf of the clubs.

On behalf of the Cricket Committee