You know it is the weekend of the first round of the Irish Senior Cup [ISC] by the change in the weather. DL will apply so hopefully there will be a result on the day in most matches. For any that don’t even get that far there is the prospect of a return fixture.
County Galway v Pembroke
Carrickfergus v Phoenix
North County v CIYMS
The Hills v CSNI
Brigade v Leinster
Coleraine v Railway Union
Balbriggan v Drummond
Clontarf v Donemana
There is a slight change to the format this year with two fewer North West sides who are playing instead in the National Cup. The four semi-finalists from 2016 - Merrion, Waringstown, YMCA and Instonians - receive a bye into the second round.
This early in the season it is difficult to determine the form of individual clubs. Based on the results over the past five years - Leinster teams have tended to come out on top in the majority of matches against NCU/NW opposition [see below]. Whether the adjustment in teams from the North West between the ISC and the National Cup will make any difference remains to be seen.
Home advantage is also important and this, combined with their poor start to the season, would suggest that of the Leinster teams Railway are the most vulnerable as they make the long trek up to Coleraine [who are currently leading the NW Premier League]. On the other hand they will have their overseas player, Ranil Dhammika, on hand for the first time this season which will be a major boost. Niall Hunt is also available from DU.
Railway Union: Kenny Carroll [C], Paddy Duffy, Alex Stiles, Rachit Gaur, Ranil Dhammika, Mo Tariq, Robin Russell Ciaran Divney (W), Saad Ullah, Hamza Maan, Niall Hunt. 12th Eoghan Grehan
Balbriggan step up to the ISC this year and take on Drummond. Drummond played in the NC in 2015 where they beaten by Rush in the final. They did not make it past the first round of the ISC last year and Balbriggan will be hoping that to make it two defeats in a row. Both teams are two losses from two at this point.
Perhaps the tie of the round is the contest between Clontarf and Donamena, LCU and NW League Champions in 2016. Donamana have a new overseas player, Imran Butt, from Lahore who has made 39 first class matches, including 14 50s and 5 centuries. Other than that the side is much the same as last year. Clontarf have got off to a good start to their season and have Conor Kelly returning to action. But they will be missing Bill Coghlan [injury] and David Delany [exams]. Andrew Poynter is still unavailable due to Cricket Ireland coaching commitments. Andrew Vincent comes into the side.
Clontarf: Joe Morrissey [C], Andrew Vincent, Declan Gallagher, Shariful Islam, Waqar Azmat, Sameer Dutt, Naveed Khan, Conor Kelly, Robert Forrest, John Mooney, Brad Barnes.
Brigade have also being doing well in the NW Premier league and are currently second with 2/2. The overseas player is former test player Faisal Iqbal who comes into an already strong Brigade lineup. Leinster have to travel and that certainly makes a difference, but they have one good win already this year and a narrow defeat to a strong Pembroke side. With Gareth Delany doing exams and Danny Coad unavailable - Peter Byrne and Saqib Bahadur come into the team.
Leinster JP O Dwyer [C], Craig Mallon, Conor O Gorman, Ian O Heirlihy, Arslan Anwar, Joe Carroll, Chris Janik, Bilal Azhar, Saqib Bahadur, Jayden Brown, Peter Byrne.
Another team with who have to travel is Phoenix who take on Carrickfergus who are topping the NCU Premier league with 2/2. Carrickfergus have last year’s overseas player, Pat Botha, back as captain with another South African [with Irish passport], Daniel Poulton, joining him who has already made a century this season. Phoenix also started well this year with a win against YMCA while losing a close contest with Clontarf.
Phoenix Nicolaas Pretorius [C/W], Reinhardt Strydom, Ari Karvelas, Adam Chester, Tom Anders, Ben White, Rory Anders, Andy Brawders, Ian Anders, Gordy Millar, James Maginnis, Louis McDonough (12th man]
North County [v CIYMS] and The Hills [v CSNI] both have home fixtures. CIYMS look to have a strong side again this season - drawing in players in the off season from a number of clubs. Nigel Jones is captain and their overseas player is Matt McGillivray - an all-rounder with nearly a 100 first-class wickets. The Hills will fancy their chances against CSNI who have yet to get a win this season.
The Hills: Max Sorensen [C], , Cormac Mc Loughlin, Mark Donegan, Sean Terry, Hamid Shah, Albert van Der Merwe, Ryan Cartwright, Thomas Murphy, Nazeer Shoukat, Andrew Kavanagh, Yaqoob Ali
North County: Eddie Richardson [C], Jamie Grassi, Tomas Sheil, Andrew Sheridan, Jonathan Andrews, Adam Coughlan, Conor Sheil, Terry Richardson, Safdar Ali, Cian Mulvaney, Craig May, Anthony Mooney.
The final game involving Leinster clubs sees Pembroke take on County Galway in a match that they will be expected to win. Three Tuckers and two Lawsons form the backbone of the side.
Pembroke: Lawson P [C], Balbirnie J, Cutler N, Garth JJ, Gupta S, Hogan D, Hopkins R, Lawson T, Tucker D, Tucker F, Tucker L