Division 7
2014 Champion - Adamstown 1 (predicted 3rd)
2014 Champion predicted - Merrion 5 (3rd)
2011-14 Top run scorer: Eugene Brennan (Wexford Wanderers, 2011-14) 970 @ 31.07
2011-14 Top wicket taker: Alan Murphy (Wexford Wanderers, 2011-14) 60 @ 15.77
The plan has been to get this preview distributed to the cricketing public before the first Division 7 match of the season took place on Sunday 12th April. We just about failed, but with the match between Clontarf 4 and Laois 2 being abandoned after only three balls, not too much has been lost by being a little late.
Division 8 looks like being a highly competitive division this year, with maybe six teams having a realistic chance of walking away with the title. The top team will end up as 49th in the league ladder; the bottom team will be 56th. Four of the eight teams finished higher than that 49 spot last year, so all four have realistic ambitions to win.
Castleknock 1 are the youngest team in the division, and in their short history haven't yet managed to win a league title. But they have played at a higher level than many of their opponents, and after a few seasons in Division 6, they may find Division 7 to their liking. Last season was their worst ever league finish in 49th place - if they do that again, they will be champions. There are plenty of other strong teams amongst the eight, and although we think Castleknock are a contender, they may have to be content with second place.
Clontarf 4 were supposed to kick off their season today against Laois 2. After rain intervened, they both only have 13 league matches left this season!. Tarf have been slowly improving of late - they were in the equivalent of Division 8 in 2011. The last two seasons have seen them in 53rd place, which would suggest mid-table. They have an excellent record against many teams (especially Dundrum 2 and Pembroke 4), and the club has been strengthened throughout by new members. That can only mean that they will improve on 53 - we'll go for 51st, which is 3rd.
Tarf's big rivals - especially in cup competitions in recent years have been Dundrum 2. Similarly to Clontarf, Dundrum have been slowly improving, and similarly their 1st team looks a bit stronger this year - which has implications for the lower teams. After being 59th and 58th in 2012 and 2013, they improved to 54th last year. A place higher is possible, so we're predicting 5th.
There are enough complications in Laois 2's history to keep a psychiatrist in business for years. After reaching a peak of 36th in 2012 (Division 5), the club hierarchy, coupled with playing strength, has seen them drop to 51st last year. Unlike their rivals in this league so far, Laois have had a few defections this winter, and we can't see them improving. They were the equivalent of 2nd last year, so 4th seems like a reasonable spot.
Merrion 5 were our tip for the title last year, and they only just failed to do enough to justify our selection. 3rd place wasn't the worst result in the world, and that 52nd place is pretty similar to the 49th, 50th and 55th that they had achieved in the preceding seasons. They have fantastic records against some other teams, such as 6-2 against Wexford, and 5-2 against Pembroke. But to be quite honest, there are lots of other good teams in the division as well, and they could well find themselves in a relegation battle. 6th place will see them survive for another day.
North Kildare have had a good off season, with playing strength improved. Although their recent match ups with other teams has been pretty dire, they have been playing at a much higher level recently. The last two seasons saw them finishing in 48th spot in the league, and the same again (or 49th anyway) would be enough to lift the title. We're tipping North Kildare 2 for the top.
Pembroke 4 wouldn't be writing the proverbial postcard home to relay tales of famous victories against their Division 7 opponents. One win from one match against Castleknock 1 is as good as it gets. They have achieved parity (3-3) against Wexford Wanderers, and have lost more than they have won against every other team in the division. Not surprisingly, that translates into a poor league record, with 53rd in 2012 and 2013 being their best. That would equate to 5th, but in a tough league, we think they may struggle, and we're predicting 8th. Saying that, a good few new members having been walking up the lane, and they may make enough of an impact to prove us completely wrong!
The final team (alphabetically anyway) are Wexford Wanderers 1. Never worse than 55th in the league (since 2011 anyway), they look to have the talents to finish in a similar position this year. Registration levels are a bit low, so we're not too sure of any new personnel, but if last year's finish is repeated, it will be 7th. To avoid relegation they need much better.
Today was supposed to see the start of the Division 7 season, but with the heavy rain putting paid to that, all eyes will turn to Sunday 19th April, when Merrion 5 go to Clontarf 4, and Dundrum 2 go to Laois 2. Two crackers to get the season up and running - rain permitting.