The IBI Corporate Finance Leinster Senior League Cup kicks off this Saturday, April 20th, with fourteen clubs vying for provincial glory.
The clubs have been divided into two groups of seven and in this preview the focus is on Group A which contains Dublin University, Malahide, North County, Phoenix, Railway Union, The Hills and YMCA.
Each club plays six matches, three at home and three away, with the top two in the group qualifying for the semi-finals. There will be something to play for in every game however, as the top four from the group will play in the Cricket Leinster Premier League from June to September.
There are plenty of interesting fixtures to look forward to in Group A, not least the North Fingal derby between The Hills and North County on April 28th.
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Another north Dublin club, Malahide, will hope to have a big say in the competition having romped to the Division 2 title in 2018. Their Leinster Lightning and Ireland international Peter Chase looked ahead to the season.
“Yeah we’re really looking forward to the new season and getting going again. There’s a very important start to the season with the new format, and it’s vital to win those first few games.
“If you lose those, you’re facing an uphill battle to get into the Premier League. Cameron Shoebridge, James Newland and David O’Halloran are all capable players who will support the Fords this year,” said Chase.
Across the city at YMCA there’s been quite a lot of change in the off-season with the departures of Simi Singh and Jarred Barnes and the arrivals of Fionn Hand and the Anders’ brothers. Don’t tell captain Jack Tector, returning from an injury plagued 2018, this is a rebuilding year though.
“Yeah raring to go now, it’s been a good few weeks back training since I got fit so I can’t wait to get going.
“No, it’s not about rebuilding, we’re definitely expecting to challenge. We’ve a really young side who are chomping at the bit to get started and we’re looking to hit the ground running against The Hills on Saturday.”
One of the beneficiaries of the changes at YMCA are Phoenix. The men from the Park have signed Simi Singh and fellow international James Shannon, as well as Nic Pretorius from The Hills, in the hope of avoiding the relegation fight they had in 2018.
“The new structure gives clubs like Phoenix the opportunity to fight for Premier League status again which is great,” says Pretorius.
“The guys have been training quite hard indoors since January, but the main thing Phoenix have done is focus on the structure. Stephen Moreton came in as coach first and then the players were brought in around him.
“I don’t want to leave any young guys out, but Louis McDonagh is a lovely neat wicket-keeper and there’s a few batters Stephen Black, James Magennis, Theo Dempsey.”
It’s exciting times out in the Park and nobody will relish the trip to face Phoenix. However, it’s fair to say that across the board clubs have recruited well and this Group looks to be very competitive.
The group stages run from April 20th to May 26th with the semi-finals on June 1st and the live-streamed final on June 8th at The Hills CC.