Premier League and Championship Preview – Saturday July 20th

With a couple of rounds of matches still to be completed in the LHW Financial Planning Premier League, The Hills are out in front with defending champions Merrion hot on their heels.

The Hills have put together a real team this year with no stars as such, just a group of players that fight for each other and never know they are beaten.

Malahide had them in trouble at times last weekend, but they fought through it to continue their unbeaten season in Leinster competitions.

On Saturday, they travel to Pembroke to face a home side shorn of Andrew Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker who are on International duty. Not that call-ups have unduly hampered the Sydney Parade outfit this season with Theo Lawson, Jack Balbirnie and captain Fiachra Tucker among those stepping up to keep them competitive and into the Irish Senior Cup semi-finals.

Merrion will be looking to maintain the pressure on The Hills when they welcome Rush to Anglesea Road. Rush have had a difficult run at the top level, but they have been hindered by International call-ups but continue to produce a wealth of good young players with encouraging potential.

Malahide have a home match against Leinster, and after defeat to The Hills last time out will be hoping for a victory to keep them right in the mix for the post-season play-offs.

The final match in the Premier League is a mid-table battle between Phoenix and YMCA in the Phoenix Park. Phoenix may force their way into the play-offs with two wins from the remaining games but might be more focused on their upcoming Irish Senior Cup semi-final.

In the Championship, it’s top against bottom as Clontarf welcome Cork County to Castle Avenue. Having finished outside the top four in their Leinster Senior League Cup group, Clontarf have responded well, winning four from five to be clear at the top of the Championship table.

North County are in second having won the local derby with Balbriggan last weekend and they travel to a resurgent Terenure on Saturday. Terenure have picked up two Championship wins and have a big National Cup semi-final away to Ardmore to look forward to as well.

The other match in the Championship on Saturday sees another National Cup semi-finalist, Railway Union hosting Balbriggan in Park Avenue.

Stay tuned to the match centre on www.cricketleinster.ie, watch out for tweets on both @cricketleinster and from reporter Peter Boyd (@fibrofella), with a full match report and images to follow at the close of play.

On Saturday the match of the day, sees Pembroke hosting Premier League leaders The Hills in Sydney Parade.