In 2014, there was a certain similarity between the results of the three "second tier" competitions. In Division 3, YMCA 2 pipped Clontarf 2 to the title. In the Senior 2 Cup, it was Clontarf 2 who had their day, as they overcame a certain YMCA 2 in the final. And the Tillain Cup for which this preview is penned? No surprises there, as YMCA 2 beat Clontarf 2 in their third encounter of the close kind.
Not much has changed in the close season, and there is no reason to suspect that any other team will be lifting the Tillain Cup on July 19th. However, T20 cricket is full of surprises, and these predictions are bound to be wrong, so who else has a chance?
Clontarf 2 take their place in the northern half of the draw, with a home game against Laois 1. Laois were losing semi finalists in 2013, but lost in the first round last year, and have a poor record against Clontarf, losing their last four matches against them in all formats.
The winners of that game will travel to play the winners of The Hills 2 vs Phoenix 2. The two haven't played each other in years, but The Hills have an excellent record in the Tillain, winning it three times between 1992 and 1999, as well as being semi finalists in 2012 and runners up in 2013. Phoenix 2 last won in 1994 (having won in 1989 previously), but their recent form has been poor, with a first round exit in each of the last four years. 2015 could be another one.
North County 2 travel to Malahide 2, with a winner being difficult to pick as both teams have poor recent records. North County won the competition in 2010, but then haven't even won a match since 2011. Malahide's last win was over Clontarf 2 in 2012. The teams met twice in 2013, and shared the matches, so this will be a close one. Home advantage may count, so Malahide are narrow favourites.
Either Malahide or North County will then host Civil Service 1 or North Kildare 1 in the quarter final. North Kildare's recent form has been excellent, reaching the semi final last season and the quarter final in 2013. They have a dominant record against Civil Service, being 4-1 over their last five matches. North Kildare should advance.
In the southern half of the draw, there is one stand out tie. Merrion 2 play YMCA 2, and the winners of that have an excellent chance of making the final. We've highlighted YMCA 2 on the back of their achievements last year, but Merrion have an equally good chance of progressing. They were winners of this event in 2012 and 2013 before failure in last year's first round against Railway Union 2. They also have a good 5-2 record over YM in recent years (although YM won their last meeting in last year's Senior 2 Cup). So a massively difficult one to predict. It could go either way.
The winners of the tie get to face Railway Union 2, and both would be reasonably confident of getting past their fellow Sandymounters. Railway have been quarter finalists in 2013 and 2014, and their win over Merrion 2 in last year's Tillain will give them great confidence. It is difficult to argue though with a record that has them winning only two of five matches against YM and one of four against Merrion.
In the other quarter of the draw, two Division 4 teams, Greystones 1 and Dundrum 1 clash in Wesley College. The teams haven't previously met, but both have been in the YM Salver in recent years, with Dundrum winning that competition in 2010 and 2012. Since coming "up" to the Tillain Cup, Dundrum have won one of their three matches. Too close to call.
The final tie sees Leinster 2 entertain Pembroke 2. Remarkably, Pembroke 2 have never won this tournament. Their record since 2011 hasn't been great, although after three consecutive first round exits, they got to last year's semi final. They haven't played Leinster 2 since 2012, which Leinster won. That hides the problems Leinster have had as well - apart from a bowl out win over Civil Service 1 last year, that 2012 win is their last in this competition. Pembroke may not have a better opportunity to lift the Tillain Cup!