A T20 competition in all but name, the RSA Whelan Cup differs from all other competitions in Leinster, in that it is comprised of fifteen eight ball overs.
The Cup itself has been shared around over its forty one previous instances, with The Hills winning it three times in the 70s, YMCA five times in total, and clubs such as North Wicklow, Knockbrack, Carlisle and Man-O-War also being triumphant on one occasion each.
Malahide 4 won the 2012 Whelan Cup, chasing Leinster 5s 154, Brogan and Taylor putting on 88 for the 4th wicket to win the match for the Villagers with 16 balls to spare.
Malahide will start the defence of their title with a preliminary tie away to Clontarf, the victors facing the winners of the North County 4/Ring Commons 1 prelim. North County 4 will provide strong opposition for all sides - their 5th team lifted the trophy in 2011, so their 4ths should expect to do well.
Civil Service 3 lifted the trophy in 2010, and will be attempting to do so again with a preliminary round match away to Adamstown 2. The winners then go on to play Castleknock 2. Merrion teams always perform well in T20 comps, with the 5ths winning this in 2009. Their 6ths are in the Whelan Cup this year, playing Leinster 6 in the prelim before playing Pembroke 5. Pembroke last won the Whelan Cup in 1987 with their 4ths.
Sandyford 2 were the 2008 winners, and they host Terenure 3 before clashing with the winners of Cabinteely 1 and Greystones 2. 2007's victorious team was Phoenix, and they face an away trip to Mullingar, before playing the winners of Laois 3 (1994 winners) and Lucan 1.
Continuing the theme, Rush 3 (winners in 2006) host Swords 1, before the winners play The Hills 3 (multiple winners, with the last instance being in 1990).
The final match sees the club that is linked closely with the Whelan Cup, Railway Union (only one win - in 1985) play YMCA 4 (winners in 1988, 2001 and 2002)