An intriguing set of matches are in prospect in the first round of the Leinster Senior Cup that takes place today. There are six ties in all, with Merrion and Terenure having received byes through to the second round. The matches should all start in good weather, though there is a prospect of rain spreading from the west in the late afternoon and evening.
With home advantage and riding high in the D1, Clontarf look like a racing certainty to win against Leinster. With Cusack back in the attack [and taking wickets] and Moreton and Kelly to bolster the batting, Clontarf look a much stronger all round outfit this year. Leinster on the other hand have had a patchy start to the season. Well beaten by The Hills in their refixed match during the week, they have also lost to Terenure and have wins in the league against Dublin University and YMCA IIs. So far this season the batting hasn’t clicked with no one recording a 50. Carroll has led the bowling attack well but needs support. It is difficult to see anything other than a Clontarf win.
YMCA must also be the more likely to take the spoils in their match against Phoenix in the Park. Neither side have enjoyed a great start to the season, Phoenix have lost important games to D2 rivals Terenure and Balbriggan with wins against a poorly performing Trinity side and YMCA II a scant consolation. Lunson has performed with the ball and wickets are well spread among the bowlers, but the batting is struggling with only two players with more than 100 runs in the league so far. YMCA started the year with a win over Merrion but then lost their next two league matches. While their varied bowling attack remains a strength, they have been short of runs, with only Fisher making big scores. Still they should be too strong for Phoenix.
Relegated from D1 last season it was to be expected that The Hills would bounce back the following year. They have recorded easy wins in all three league matches in D2 this year and have also beaten a strong North Down side in the ISC. All their main batsmen have got runs and with Carolus and Sorensen they have a potent bowling attack. Pembroke on the other hand have only one win out of three matches in the league. A young side, they bowl and field well but rely heavily on a few players to get the bulk of their runs. With home advantage and given their current form, this is one where the D2 side start as favourites.
It was certainly the mischievous hand of fate that determined that Balbriggan should take on North County in the cup. Since moving to Balbriggan John Mooney has been their leading wicket taker though he has yet to make a big contribution with the bat. Balbriggan have won three of their four league games this season and are second in the league table after The Hills. But what appears a strong batting line-up has failed to spark and will need to do so today if they are to have any chance of the win. North County have perhaps been the surprise team of the year so far. With three wins out of three they are only one point behind Clontarf and have also managed an impressive away win against Donemana in the ISC. In Parchment they have a very capable overseas player who has already scored two 50s. He has been well backed up by the rest of the front line batting. Richardson leads the bowling attack but wickets have been well spread throughout. North County really should be too strong for Balbriggan but playing at Home in a local derby – anything is possible.
The final D1 v D2 clash sees another set of local rivals battle it out as Malahide take on Rush. Rush go into the match third in D2 and with their confidence buoyed by convincing wins against Terenure and Dublin University after close defeats against YMCA II and Balbriggan. A well balanced side they are capable of scoring big and with Eastwood to strengthen their attack look capable of challenging for promotion. Newly promoted Malahide have struggled in D1 and have yet to record a win. They lost a close encounter against Railway and their two other games have been against league leaders Clontarf and North County. Their one win, last weekend, was against a fancied Instonian’s side in the ISC. Home advantage will certainly help but this might be one where the D2 side can stage an upset.
The final match is between Cork County and Railway Union. Railway have started well this season defying many pundits expectations that they were likely candidates for the drop. Important wins were secured against Malahide and Pembroke and the loss to Clontarf doesn’t look too damaging given the latter’s current form. But an away fixture in the Mardyke is never easy and Cork won well against YMCA last weekend. They have had a hard start to the season with league encounters against Clontarf and North County. On balance home advantage should win out.
Hopefully the weather will stay fine and all the games can be completed on the day. Follow all the games on the Cricket Leinster Match Centre.