2018 Middle 2 Cup preview - Cup heavyweights make this one a cup to savour

Get out your diary, find July 14 and add the words "Middle 2 Cup quarter finals" - with a big red marker.

The fourth tier Cricket Leinster Open Competitions Cup looks like being a cracker, with perhaps six teams having a  genuine chance of lifting the trophy after the final in Ringcommons on Sunday 2 September.

The top of the draw has one of the hardest ties to predict, when the new DLR County 2 travel to Togher to take on Laois 2. Laois won this tournament back in 2015, but, like many teams haven't won a cup game since their triumph. DLR County are one of the real dark horses, and as Dundrum 2 had some great cup runs. But based on it being difficult to hit the ground running in a new club, we'll plump for Laois 2.

Adamstown 2 are one of seven Division 7 teams in the draw, and they are playing Ashbourne 1, whom logic would lead you to think, are in for a struggle. After being promoted multiple divisions for the 2018 season, Ashbourne are definitely a club on the up. But after making the semi finals of the Minor Cup in 2016, this is now three cups higher. Ashbourne's best result against an Adamstown side is a victory against the 4th string - the 2nds will be too strong.

On to another one of the favourites for the Cup. Greystones 1 have had something of a tactical retreat this year, requesting to play in Division 7 after a hard year in Division 5 in 2017. Only those within the club will know their real chances, but despite obviously not being the club that held their own in Division 4 only a few years back, Greystones must surely be strong at this level. That seems tough luck for The Hills 3 who have been making great strides in recent seasons. Their best was the Intermediate Cup semi final in 2015, and the assignment in Wicklow could be too much. 

Ten kilometres north, another interesting tie will be taking place, as Clontarf 4 travel Bray to take on Wicklow County 1. Like Greystones, Wicklow County have dropped down the leagues, but have found a stable home around Division 8. Their problem is two fold: first, they haven't won a cup game since 2011, and second they face Clontarf 4 who won this competition in 2013, and made the semi final in 2016. Away win.

One of the more obscure Fingal derbies will be played, as Swords 1 entertain North County 3. The teams haven't met since 2014, and the three meetings have produced two wins for County. Neither had a hugely impressive cup CV, but County's three losses since the 2015 season doesn't compare too well against Swords' four wins and three losses (albeit at a lower level). Swords to win.

Division 7 side North Kildare 2 will host Division 8 side Knockharley 2, in one that could really go either way. Both sides had decent cup runs in 2015, with Knockharley losing in the final, and North Kildare losing in the semis. Knockharley 2 had a tough year in 2017 and assuming they take a while to get their affairs back in order, we'll predict success for North Kildare.

Two sides that know each other well will clash in a Dublin 4 affair, with Pembroke 4 hosting Merrion 5. There is no way on earth that anyone apart from Merrion 5 should win the Middle 2 Cup. They are the only Division 6 side in the draw, and are overdue a cup, having not won a title since this competition in 2011. Against that, their cup record is continually disappointing, and they have only won one match in the last three seasons. Pembroke's record isn't much better though, so Merrion to go through.

Finally, we get to the 2017 champions, Ringcommons 1. Remarkably, they have won their last eight cup matches, not losing in a cup since 2014. Sandyford are the unlucky visitors, and although both are in Division 7, Ringcommons have to be favourites - and with the final being held at their home, they have to be fancied to go all the way.

That is easier said than done though, and there will be a few big names knocked out, especially in the quarter finals. We are tipping Greystones to play Clontarf in the quarters as well as Merrion 5 playing Ringcommons. With two of those sides not making the semis, there will be a path for less fancied teams.

We'll predict the four semi finalists as Adamstown 2, Greystones 1, Swords 1 and Merrion 5, with Adamstown 2 lifting the cup