RSA Division 14
2013 Champion - Castleknock 3
2013 Champion predicted - Castleknock 3
2011-13 Top run scorer: Colm Reilly (Balbriggan) 510 runs at 63.75
2011-13 Top wicket takers: Thomas Mount (Mullingar) 45 wkts at 9.53
We started last year's league previews, bemoaning the fact that it was too hard to predict any winners at this level - before going to correctly predict that Castleknock 3 would walk away with the silverware. So no such attempts at deflecting criticism and failure, let's cut to the chase. Who will Division 14 in 2014?
Nine teams take to field, with four teams being 2nd/3rds teams, and five teams being anywhere between 4ths and 8ths. The lower teams from the big clubs are difficult to analyse (I know - getting the excuses in again), and how they compete will depend to a large extent on how strictly the OCC polices the starring lists.
Merrion 8 and Leinster 7 are both back in the leagues having being absent in 2013, and it is unlikely that either will be pushing for honours. Both Leinster and Merrion need so many teams to give members a game - but that is not the same as saying those same members will be winning games on the pitch.
The two clubs in Phoenix Park are both likely to be in the top half. Phoenix enter a 6th team for the first time in a while, and seem to be going int he right direction, whilst Civil Service 4 finished 3rd in 2012 before struggling in Division 13 last year.
Clontarf are a bit of an enigma at this level. Clontarf 6 were in Division 12 in 2012 and 2013, but a decision to drop a side from the Castle Avenue club, means that the 6ths move down from a level that they were doing pretty well at anyway. The number of players in Clontarf will be crucial to how the team performs, but they have to be considered amongst the top three contenders.
Balbriggan 3 are still struggling to find their feet at this level, and a top half finish will be an achievement. Greystones 3 have similarly struggled somewhat (especially when compared to the other hugely successful teams in the club). That may be a harsh assessment of their first season in competitive cricket though! An improvement on 2013's 4th place, and they will be pushing for promotion.
Wicklow County 2 are unlikely to be setting the division alight either, which leaves Mullingar 3. The Mounts have dominated Division 14 over the last few years, with PJ taking 39 wickets at 18.15 and Thomas, 45 wkts at 9.53. With a 4th place in 2012 and a 3rd spot in 2013, they look as if they will be challengers this time around.
Prediction time. Clontarf 6 to take the Division 14 title, with Mullingar 3 runners up.