Eighteen Leinster teams were scheduled to take part in the first round of the Irish Senior and National Cups on Saturday. Just as the start of the exam season results in a mini heatwave so does the First Round of ISC/NC herald the onset of dull and wet weather. So it was once again in 2016. At least this year we managed to get some of the games played, mainly in Leinster.
Over the past few years Leinster clubs have tended to get the better of their Northern opponents in R1. The strength in depth on the Leinster D1 and D2 leagues are evident and it is generally in the later rounds that the strongest Northern clubs are able to tilt the balance back in their favour. This year the current holders of the ISC, Waringstown, were not pitted against Leinster opposition and had a comfortable win over Bready and remain one of the favourites for the competition.
Another of the fancied clubs, however, has gone out. Clontarf were one of only two Leinster sides to lose across both competitions coming off worse in a 25 over game against Instonians. The second club was Leinster who were beaten by Fox Lodge. The teams through to the second round of the ISC from Leinster are YMCA, North County, Phoenix, The Hills and Pembroke.
In the National Cup all four matches played involving Leinster clubs resulted in wins for the province. North Kildare [with a hard fought win over Bonds Glen], Rush, Balbriggan and Laois [who received a walk-over] all progress to the next round.
Clubs that will have to try again [most on 22nd May], with all matches played in Leinster, are Merrion, Malahide and Railway [ISC] and Terenure, Dundrum, Civil Service and Greystones [NC].