IBI CORPORATE FINANCE PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW – MATCH DAY 2 (04.05.24)

The first weekend of the IBI Corporate Finance Premier League saw all three matches played. Leinster and Merrion had a last over thriller, while there were comprehensive victories for Balbriggan and Pembroke. Pembroke have a bye this week, but the other three clashes are to savour.

Clontarf vs Leinster

The Castle Avenue side get their campaign underway after last week’s bye and face Leinster off the back of an excellent, if nerve wracking, victory over Merrion.

Clontarf’s batting stocks, led by skipper Eoghan Delaney and David Vincent at the top of the order, are boosted by the availability of new Overseas Player Rahul Dalal but they need to wait another week for David Delany to return to the country. It is likely that they will be without Curtis Campher and Fionn Hand but expect PJ Moor to be available. The pressure is somewhat on Clontarf this weekend after their bye last round, with a loss here essentially leaving them two wins behind the teams at the top with only one game played!

For Leinster they are expected to pick the same team with only Gareth Delany unavailable after the Interpro Festival. Matthew Vercoe-Curtis’ debut century came as a shock to many outside of Leinster, but he showed some brilliant stroke making and will be looking to continue his good form alongside classy number three Monil Patel with the bat, whilst the pacey Aussie Luke Callanan and skillful all-rounder Joey Carroll will be hoping to make vital contributions with the ball.

Key Battle: Luke Callanan vs Rahul Dalal

Merrion vs Balbriggan

Contrasting fortunes for these two teams last week, with Merrion losing a tight one and Balbriggan beating Malahide with full points.

For Merrion they are expected to field the same team as last week for the most part and will be hoping for more top order runs from Modgill and Lewis. Mikey O’Reilly will be keen to build on his impressive Merrion debut last week with the ball. The one negative however will be how they failed to capitalise on such a good position last weekend, and that’s one point which Pete Francis could likely prove crucial in overcoming as games go by this season. New signing Jamie Forbes is available for selection however it remains to be seen as to whether he can usurp one of the left arm spinning positions from either first team regular Tom Stanton, or the high-performing Danny Forkin.

Balbriggan opener Cameron Rowe made a magnificent unbeaten century against Malahide and will be looking to bat the innings again. He’ll be backed up by Chris de Freitas who has been with the Leinster Lightning squad this week. This pair spearhead a strong batting line-up, and with de Freitas’ fine record against Merrion in recent years could prove to be the thorn in the side of the Anglesea Road outfit once again.

The star of the Balbriggan bowling last week was Dylan Lues with 6-16, can he repeat the dose and continue Balbriggan’s big start to the season?

Key Battle: Mikey O’Reilly vs Chris de Freitas

Phoenix vs Malahide

Both teams had a tough time last week and will be looking for the proverbial bouncebackability. Malahide just couldn’t get the runs on the board, but Adam Doyle got some good time in the middle that will stand to him into the future. Younas Ahmadzai is always a threat and will be looking to get his season going. In the bowling attack no one shone last week and they will be looking for more impact from the likes of skipper James Newland and Kelvin Donnelly in an effort to penetrate this formidable Phoenix unit.

Phoenix came up against the might of a full strength Pembroke last week and will be looking to set their own mark this week. Tyrone Kane was consistent with the ball and will be looking for the same again while it’s expected that Theo Dempsey, George Dockrell and Ben White will be unavailable. Their absences would put more emphasis onto Kane and fellow all-rounder Shane Getkate with the ball, along with left-arm spinner Amish Sidhu. Whilst with the bat, Nicolaas Pretorius will be the tone-setter at the top of the innings and will hope to lay a nice foundation for his middle order to build on.

Both teams will be looking to get points on the board, will home advantage be the key?

Key Battle: Younas Ahmadzai vs Tyrone Kane

IBI CORPORATE FINANCE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW – MATCH DAY 2 (04.05.24)

The weather gods relented and allowed a full suite of results in the first weekend of the IBI Corporate Finance Championship and saw four full-point victories for North County, Rush, The Hills and Railway Union.

This will be a highly competitive league and Saturday’s fixtures see the four winning teams from week 1 play the four losing teams.

Railway Union vs Civil Service

The 2024 form book saw Railway Union take 25 points from their first match and Civil Service beaten by more than 100 runs.

Railway were impressive with the bat, Robert O’Brien top scoring with 86 and getting good support all through the order. Their total of 229 was too good for North Kildare as Sean O’Brien took three wickets and Sankeerth Karpe two.

Civil Service bowled well last week with wickets spread around, Dhiraj Shetty was the highlight with 3-43 against a decent Hills batting line up. Scoreboard pressure told though and Service couldn’t put together the partnership needed to kick start their innings.

Railway Union will be looking to establish themselves at the top end of the table, but Service will be determined to open their account in the Championship table. 

Key Battle: Dhiraj Shetty vs Robert O’Brien

Rush vs Terenure

Rush had a comfortable victory last week, with runs through the order and an excellent team bowling attack. Finn Mcgee was the pick of the batters and Asher Abbasi scored 40* and took 4 wickets. Their tall opening pair of Allan Eastwood and Jarred Barnes are as formidable as ever with the new ball, whilst their spin option in Nasir Totakhil has shown some excellent form last weekend and will be looking to continue to impress.

Terenure came up short last weekend after an excellent all round performance from North County led by Sulamin Safi with the bat and Abdul Sattar with the ball, their batting unit relies on Séamus Lynch (currently on Leinster Lightning duty) Henry Dall and Raghav Grover putting together decent contributions to allow their lower-middle order to cash in later in the innings. With the ball, they must wait another week for Mark Thomas’ return, however Dylan Cleary and Kripesh Shetty are a fine opening pair and are well supported by Darsh Shetty, Grover and Dall.

Can Rush replicate a team bowling attack to restrict Terenure’s batting chances?

Key Battle: Asher Abbasi vs Seamus Lynch

North Kildare vs North County

North Kildare struggled with bat and ball in their opening match and will be looking for a change in fortunes this week. Husnain Maroof took 5-38 and will be a key part of the bowling attack this time round also. Abid Taniwal was excellent with his left-arm over for South Dublin & Midlands last weekend, taking a brilliant five wicket haul and will be vital to the side’s chances.

Star of the batting show for North County was Suliman Safi with 110, backed up by Alan Joseph Mathew with 54. That gave the bowlers the room they needed and 5 wickets from Abdul Sattar (to go with 40*) gave them a comfortable victory. They’ll be looking to the likes of Niall McGovern and Eddie Richardson along with Simi Singh to provide even more powerful contributions and potentially power the side to the top of the table.

County will be keen to maintain momentum but North Kildare have plenty of potential to cause an upset.

Key Battle: Suliman Safi vs Husnain Maroof