RSA Division 9
2012 Champion - Dundalk 1
2011-12 Top run scorer: J Uddin (Railway Union/Halverstown) 465 runs at 46.50
2011-12 Top wicket taker: V Walia (Adamstown) 43 wkts at 7.40
Trying to make predictions, with little more than rumour, gossip and the odd informed "leak" is tough at the best of times. When all there is to go on is the general strength of a club, and how players may have moved during the off season, it gets a tad harder.
But we'll have a go anyway, and make do with wiping a large helping of egg from our faces come September. Eddie Lewis's analysis of the state of the game (http://www.cricketleinster.ie/news/open-competitions-league-and-cup-structure) raised the issue of those clubs who have a big gap between successive teams. Three of those clubs are in this division, and all three will be trying to close the large gap that exists between their Division 9 team and the one above.
Dublin University 2 may have the best chance of moving up. Although it is even harder trying to predict how a university side will perform from year to year, one thing in paricular is in Trinity's favour. The OCC have removed the "handicap" that balanced Dublin University sides only playing half a season, meaning that their sides have recieved a definite shot in the arm. With the players onbly having to make themselves availability eight times, and their points now getting equal weighting with the opposition, there may be no better time of a Trinity promotion.
Sandyford 2 now have a four division gap between the 2nds and 1sts, and I can see no reason why they shouldn't close the gap. They were promoted in 2012 from Division 10, so a further promotion would be a big ask, but they will be there and there abouts.
The third of these "big gap teams" is Mullingar 2. No big transfer news has emerged from Westmeath - even players joining a first team means players can move down a club's structure - but it will be no surprise if they are stronger than last year. The main issue will be the weather, with 2012 being ruined for Mullingar more than any other club (except maybe Knockharley).
Terenure have had big movements in the club, but in both directions, so whether their 3rds will go up and down is a lottery. They really struggled at times last year in Division 9 though. Their fellow strugglers last year were YMCA 4, who finished rock bottom. Why this was I can't really fathom. All other teams in YMCA seem to be improving, so although I don't see a bottom to top recovery, YMCA 4 should be able to finish somewhere in the middle.
North County 4's season was the epitomy of that much use mid-table term, They were 24% behind the leaders and 29% ahead of relegation - possibly more of the same this year?
Like Mullingar, Knockharley had an awful time with the weather last year. However, they mamaged to play a few games at the end of the season - in fact enough to win Division 11. The vagaries of league numbers have meant they have moved up two divisions, and they will find that hard.
Swords were another Division 10 team last year, and are slowly finding their feet in the league cricket structure. Another promotion may be beyond them, but expect a top half finish.
That just leaves Leinster 5, and no one knows how they will do. In Division 7 a few weeks ago, they now find themselves in Division 9. It remains to be seen how many players have left, and they could struggle - or perhaps run away with the league!
So the top half will be YMCA, North County, Swords and Dublin University, with the students using their new found advantage well to win the title