Sixteen sides drawn from Divisions 9 and 10 have been thrown together in the draw for the 2016 Intermediate Cup, and those sides from the lower league have been dealt a pretty poor hand. Six of the eight ties are pitting the two divisions against each other, meaning surprises are likely to be thin on the ground.
The two exceptions throw up a couple of matches that will be something to saviour. Carlow 1 swept all before them in their debut season last year, winning the Division 16 and Minor 2 Cup double. For their troubles, they have been promoted seven league divisions, and three cups - the first team to experience such a big promotion since Greystones 1 were promoted five divisions in 2013. There is a possibility that Carlow will still do well, but they have been drawn against one if the favourites in the Inter Cup, and it is difficult to see Carlow advancing. Greystones have been one of the most consistent performers in this cup, being runners up in 2013 and 2014 and losing semi finalists in 2014. They look tough to beat again.
The other uni-divisional tie sees holders Mullingar 2 play Castleknock 2. Mullingar 2 had a mixed season last year, with cup glory being coupled with league failure. Castleknock 2 played Mullingar 3 twice in 2012, and the suggestion is that this may be a level a bit too high. Mullingar to win.
The most decorated side in this year's cup are Phoenix 4, winners of seven cup titles over their history, and winners of the Intermediate Cup in 2010, 2011 and 2013. They face a team at the other end of the scale, with comparative new boys Slieve Bloom having only several years of competitive action - long enough to pick up the Junior Cup in 2014. Both teams have played seven cup ties in the last three years, and both have won five of them. Phoenix look much stronger though, and the Bloom may have to wait for another year.
Leinster 5 have not met Malahide 4 since 2012 - a season when they played each other three times. In each of the three matches, the side chasing chased successfully. That suggests the result could be down to the toss of a coin, but Division 9 Malahide look to have the upper hand over their Division 10 counterparts.
Railway Union 4 have had a chequered recent cup past. Remarkably they haven't won a cup in their history, but have been plying their trade in the third tier Middle Cup in the last few seasons. Stepping down two cups should be to their advantage, but will come up against a Dundalk 1 side who beat them the last two times they met in 2012. Dundalk have a poor recent cup record, (losing their last three), but this is another one that will go according to league position. Dundalk to win.
Civil Service 2 are the highest ranked league side in the competition, and they have been given the "easiest" tie, hosting the lowest ranked league side, Adamstown 3. It was tempting to predict an upset, but there is nothing to support that particular school of thought. Two years ago, Adamstown 3 were still playing in the Minor 2 Cup, and although they are no mugs, there is no evidence to point towards success in this year's Inter Cup.
The Hills 3 reached the semi finals last year, and will be strong favourites against a Longford 2 team who have never won a Cricket Leinster cup match. Longford 2 do have one victory over a Hills side to their name, but that was The Hills 4 in 2014.
The final tie sees a side with no history by lots of recent success, pitted against a team with past glory. Swords 1 have been runners up in the Inter Cup in 2013 and 2015, but that is as good as cup competitions have got. They will be up against YMCA 5, winners of the Minor Cup in 1986, but nothing since. There has been no recent history between the two, so we can do little else but predict victory for the Division 9 side Swords.
And finally, on to the predictions for the latter parts of the competition. Our choice for the four semi finalists is Greystones 2, Phoenix 4, Dundalk 1 and Mullingar 2. Although Mullingar have a chance of reaching the final at their home ground, we think Greystones will pip Phoenix 4.