RSA Division 4
2013 Champion - North Kildare 1
Predicted 2013 Champion - Railway Union 2 (3rd)
2011-13 Top run scorer: Ian Walshe (North Kildare) 1158 runs at 38.60
2011-13 Top wicket taker: Manjeet Singh (North Kildare) 65 wickets at 16.02
With the leading run scorer and wicker taker in Divison 4 having departed to higher things (Division 3 with North Kildare), it is up to others grasp the mantle, and help their side to Division 4 glory. But who will it be?
Before I get any gentle ribbing from YMCA (who I have a tendency to predict failure), let's have a delve into the recent history of Division 4, and it's near relation, Senior 3. These divisions (Senior 3 was changed to Division 4 in 2010, and they are roughly equivalent) are traditionally where the highest 3rd teams have played their cricket. And keeping within that tradition, it is also where 3rd teams have struggled. The highest 3rd team in Division 4 has been Pembroke 3, who came 6th in both 2012 and 2013.
In Senior 3 there was a bit more success, with Merrion 3 coming top in 2006, and Leinster 3, Railway Union 3, and Merrion 3 all achieving second spot in 1997, 2001 and 1999 repsectively. But plenty has changed since then, with more teams capable of challenging. It means that I am unlikely to be tipping YMCA 3, Merrion 3 or Pembroke 3 to be doing that well!
I think the best of the three may well in fact be YM. Successive league titles, have seen a rapid rise, and there have been enough high profile signings coming into Claremont Road to account for the other high profile departures. Kamal Merchant will shepherd the sheep well, and although there won't be a third success in a row, they should be good enough to avoid relegation - perhaps 5th.
Merrion 3 are the lowest rank team in the division based on 2013's finishing positions, finishing 3rd in Division 5. The matches against YMCA 3 and Pembroke 3 will be crucial, and although Pembroke have the upper hand in recent encounters, Merrion should just scrape clear of relegation in 6th.
That leaves Pembroke, who have been the leading 3rd team in the province in recent years. However their 2nd team being promoted to Division 2 has proved to be a bit of a millstone for clubs in recent years. The strain and stress of putting out two top quality sides on a Saturday tends to have an affect further on down as well. Merrion have weathered that particular storm well, but it will be Pembroke's first attempt, and I feel their 3rds may struggle a bit, sliding into the relegation zone.
They will be joined at the bottom by Mullingar, who have battled hard over the last few years, coming 7th in 2012 and 2013, but avoiding relegation each time. They have an appalling record against most of their opponents (0-2 vs Malahide 2, 0-4 vs Railway 2, 1-4 vs Phoenix 2) and so the matches against Merrion, Pembroke and YMCA will be crucial.
That is the bottom half done and dusted, so how will the other four shape up? Phoenix 2 have been there and there abouts over the last couple of years, and everything points to something similar this year. They have performed well against the weaker teams, but badly against the higher ones. By definition that puts them mid-table.
Dundrum have been rising steadily, and although the squad is aging somewhat, experience definitley counts at this level. A win last week away to Railway Union is a massive result, and with the benefit of knowing that result, it looks like being a good year. They may not have quite enough true quality to go all the way, but they should be good for a third place finish, and who knows what may happen?
That just leaves our favourites for promotion. Railway Union 2 have been knocking at the door for the last few years, with two 3rd place finishes. They have excellent recent records against everyone else in the league, and surely this must be their year. Th eone question mark though is that loss to Dundrum last week!
Finally to our tips for the top . If truth be told, Division 4 looks weaker than in 2012, with the likes of Civil Service and North Kildare moving up. That gives opportunities to others, and Malahide should take advantage. They were 2nd in 2012, and although they struggled in Division 3 last year, they should still be good enough for a return