The unsettled weather in May meant that youth club competitions took a while to get going. Things improved greatly in June and we now have the first of our competitions coming to a final – the U15 T20 Competition. The final takes place Friday 27th June at 4 pm. The semifinals are between Clontarf and Pembroke at 10 am and between YMCA and Phoenix at 1.00. All games are in Rathmines
But what of the rest of the competitions. To commence the reviews for the year I will be relying on the numbers from each club who participated in the autumn representative training to provide an idea of the strength of the different teams. This applies only to A leagues
Boys U11
This is always the most difficult league to predict with many first timers for the limelight. Going on attendance in the autumn Railway Union and Rush had 7 each, Leinster and North County had 6, YMCA, Phoenix, Malahide, and North Kildare had 5. It remains to be seen which of these has the quality. With only 14 results in Phoenix are leading the way followed by Clontarf, Malahide and North County.
Boys U13
YMCA should be odds on here and it could be close between Clontarf, Leinster, Merrion and Phoenix. With 15 results in YMCA are leading the way from Pembroke.
Boys U15
YMCA would be favoured here followed by The Hills and Pembroke. Clontarf, Leinster and Merrion could also feature.
Boys U17
Clontarf and Pembroke are probably favourites for this league followed by Phoenix and North County. YMCA and Leinster could sneak in also.
Boys U19
YMCA would have to be odds on to win this with 10 between U17 and U19 squads. Pembroke should be second favourites followed by Clontarf, North County and Terenure.
Girls U11
Again this is unpredictable particularly with only 20 girls involved in the autumn. Currently Pembroke are in the lead from North County, Phoenix, The Hills and YMCA with 14 games played.
Girls U13
The Hills with 10 nominations should be favourites. Phoenix with 8, Clontarf with 7 and Malahide with 6 should be in the shake up. The Hills have a big lead at the moment after 14 games and they are followed by Leinster, Pembroke and Phoenix.
Girls U15
With 11 present in the autumn Malahide must be favourites. YMCA have 8, Leinster 7 and Merrion and The Hills both have 6.
Girls U17
Merrion with 9 are favourites but Leinster, Railway Union and The Hills with 7 each must be in with a shout.
Girls U19
This is the first year we have had a competition at U19. Combining U17s and U19s it appears all four clubs could be evenly matched.