Division 13
2014 Champion - Dundrum 3 (Predicted 1st)
2014 Champion predicted - Dundrum 3 (Champion!)
2011-14 Top run scorer: Adam Ellison (Rush, 2011-14) 839 @ 24.68
2011-14 Top wicket taker: Adam Ellison (Rush, 2011-14) 53 @ 22.66
After the excitement of finding that we correctly predicted the winner of Division 13 last year, the hunt for this year's winner starts here.
As previously mentioned, it is not quite as simple as you'd imagine. Dundrum 3 are back to defend their crown, but have it all to do. Last year's title saw them finish in 103rd place in the overall league structure, a spot they inhabited in 2013 as well. 103rd this year would see them in 7th place, with relegation being a real possibility. They have only played previously against four of their seven opponents, and only have a winning record against one of them - North Kildare 3. So Dundrum need to improve, and they may well do, with the club already attracting some new members. Perhaps 5th place.
As we stated above, North Kildare 3 have a bad record against Dundrum 3 (losing all four of their previous matches), and in fact are the lowest ranked team in this division going into the new season. Along with Pembroke 6, North Kildare are the most decorated team in the division, with four league titles, the last of which was Junior B back in 2003. Their performances in recent years have been of the downward variety, and even if they improve by one place on their 2014 finishing position, they will still be bottom.
Laois 3 have been up and down over the last five years, as the club looked to shift around their resources. They were 104th last year, after being 77th and 84th previously, so the team definitely have potential. It has been six years since the last league title when Laois 3's way, and whilst we don't think they will win the league, they should improve on last season's position by a couple of places to come 6th.
Pembroke 6 present a tricky team to analyse, They won Division 13 in 2011, to go with their three other league titles in 1990, 1994 and 2011. They were 97th every year from 2011-2013 before falling away to 101st last year. The worrying thing is that of the other teams, it is difficult to see who they will finish above. They seem like a mid table side, but we can't see them finishing above anyone but North Kildare 3, so 7th place for the Sydney Paraders.
Phoenix 5 have a 32 year gap back to their last league title in 1983 when they won Junior B. There can't be many (or any) of this year's side who lifted the trophy that year, so it's probably not much of a millstone. Phoenix 5 had been a team in the mid 90s for the last few seasons, and although they dipped to 99 last year, they will definitely be in the top half. A lack of winning records against the other teams doesn't help, but they should manage 4th.
That leaves the Top 3. Dublin University 3 won this league in 2013, and have to be considered possibles again. They finished 97th last year, which would make them champions this year. It is always tricky to predict how side with plenty of ins and outs will play, and so although they could well finish top, we'll go for 3rd.
Swords 2 finished 96th and 98th in their first two seasons, and despite not winning a league title in their short history, this could be their first year. They have never played Railway Union 6, and that could be the crucial set of matches to determine the destination of the trophy. Swords 2 to finish 2nd.
So that just leaves a Railway Union 6 team, who like Swords, are still searching for their first league title. Good records against their opponents indicate what they are capable of, and although they won't be run away leaders, they may just come good, and clinch that elusive first league crown.
Sunday 19th April sees a crucial match, as Dublin University 3 visit Park Avenue to play Railway Union 6