Five of the last seven winners of the Intermediate Cup take their place in this year's competition - and the draw looks very much as tough as that sounds.
The Intermediate Cup is for teams in Division 9 and 10, and with Dublin University 2 not playing in cup compeitions, that leaves fifteen teams in the draw. As can be imagined, most of the favourites for the crown come from Division 9, but the bottom half of the draw looks to have some great opportunities for Division 10 clubs to advance.
Slieve Bloom 1 are the reigning champions and they take their place at the bottom of the draw, with a trip to Malahide. The theme of this preview is going to be the value of home draws, and this tie is a good example. Both teams are in the higher division and Slieve Bloom have the better record in recent years (they got to the semi final is 2014 as well). But just ecause teams have a good record, doesn't mean they have to keep winning, and there may well be a shock in Malahide. Whether Malahide are good enough to win a title they last won in 2007 is another question!
The winners of that game will face Dundalk 1 away. Let us not mince our words, if that game was away from Dromiskin, Dundalk wouldn't have a chance. But they have a formidable home record, and whether it is Malahide or Slieve Bloom that advances, Dundalk have an excellent chance of making the semi finals.
Mullingar 2, winners in 2015 welcome Cabinteely 1 to St Finian's College, the first time the teams have ever met (this is a common occurence in the draw - five of the ties are between teams who haven't played before). Cabinteely have an excellent cup record in recent years, being runners-up in the Junior Cup in 2015 and 2016, but this is a step up. Another tie where getting a home draw makes a difference - Mullingar should advance.
Railway Union 4 travel to Adamstown 3, and they may be one of the few teams to clock up an away win. Adamstown 3 haven't reached the last four of a cup compeition since the 2014 Minor 2 Cup, whereas Railway were semi finalists in this competition last year. On top of that, these two met twice last year, with Railway winning on both occasions. Away win.
An intriguing tie in Bray, where Wicklow County 1 will host Carlow 1. Wicklow have a pretty bad cup record, losing each of their last three matches, whereas Carlow have won five of their last six. That hides a few facts though, with Carlow's games being in their march to the 2015 Minor 2 Cup. This is three cups higher, and although Carlow will do well in future years, Wicklow should prevail in 2017.
Longford 2 host Greystones 2 in another of the ties where home advantage won't be enough to overcome a difference in the quality of the teams. Both are in Division 10 this year, but Greystones' record, runners-up in 2014, semi finalists in 2015 and 2016, indicates they should be favourites over a Longford team who have lost in the first round in each of the last three years.
Civil Service 2 travel to Tymon Park to play Clondalkin 1, another tie that hasn't happened before. This pits Division 9 against Division 10 and on this occasion, the senior side should triumph. Clondalkin were runners up in last year's Junior Cup, so make a step up this year. The tie is given extra juice with a handful of Clondalkin's squad having previously played for Service. Civil Service should advance as they look to get their first cup since 1943.
The top of the draw sees a Greater Castleknock derby, with Phoenix 4 from beyond the eastern fringes travelling to Castleknock 2 on the south western fringes of the "village". Phoenix were an all conquering side in this competition not too long ago, winning in 2010, 2011 and 2013. However, they have only won one match since that last overall win and could ripe for an upset. With a home draw Phoenix could have triumphed, but away they may struggle against a Castleknock side who were runners-up in this competition last year. Castleknock to advance.
The final is in Rush on August 19, and we think Railway Union 4 will lift the trophy (after beating Dundalk 1 in the semi), with Castleknock 2 once again being defeated finalists (they will beat Greystones 2 in the other semi).
Don't put your money on those predictions yet.