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The 2013 club season is almost upon us, so cricketireland.ie talked to three people in the know about the upcoming season in their region and who they thought might run out winners in Leinster, the NCU and the North West.
Northwest Cricket Union

For the NWCU Long’s Supervalu Premier League we spoke Cricket Ireland Regional Development Officer, Brian Allen.

“The teams to look out for are Donemana, Coleraine and Brigade. Donemana, as usual, will be competitive and they know how to win. Coleraine and Brigade have added players, but whether that will strengthen them or not we will have to wait and see.

“Glendermott may find it difficult to stay up in this smaller league but they do have a few players who can turn a match, it just depends on how consistent they can be. They will be a team that others target, though, so it could be a difficult season for them.

“If I had to pick a winner, it would probably be Donemana. Although they’ve lost a few players, they have some very good youth players coming up and they will be hoping those younger players will fill the gaps left by the guys they’ve lost.

Donemana were outstanding in 2012

“Saying that, the interesting thing in this league this year is that I think everyone can, and will, beat everyone else. It wouldn’t surprise me if Coleraine or Brigade won the league instead of Donemana.

“I think it really could be anyone that gets relegated,” he added. “The league is getting very tight and it will be interesting to see how it all pans out.”

Northern Cricket Union

Cricket Ireland Performance coach Ryan Eagleson knows as much as anyone else about what could happen in the Ulster Bank Premier League in the Northern Cricket Union.

“Waringstown are the team to beat this year,” he said. “They have a good young squad, with exciting players like Lee Nelson and Gary Kidd, and they still have experience in Kyle McCallan along with Greg Thompson and Phil Eaglestone joining this season. Their returning professional, Obus Pienaar, lit up the league last time he was here so they’ll be delighted to have him back.

Obus Pienaar returns in 2013 having set the NCU abuzz in 2012

“Lurgan are coming up and if they can get a couple of wins early it will stand them in good stead. Ballymena could be okay because they tend to win at home. It’s going to be a tight league with Northdown, Instonians, Civil Service and last year’s winners CIYMS all able to beat anyone on their day.”

Cricket Leinster

Lastly we spoke to Cricket Ireland Chairman of Selectors Alan Lewis about what way the RSA Division 1 might go.

“The Leinster League in 2012 was so tight that any two of five teams could have been relegated right up until the last few weeks,” he said. “I’m expecting more of the same this year. However I am not a fan of two up two down. I would much prefer the rugby model.

“Shannon, now second from bottom in Division 1, will play UCD, who finished second in Division 2, in a winner takes all play-off for a spot in Division 1. It’s like another cup final. If Shannon go down after that? Well, it’s deserved. It’s a much more exciting format.

“There has been a lot of movement over the winter and the league winners from last year, Leinster, seem to have a very different team this season. It will be interesting to see how they fare. Pembroke and Phoenix have been promoted so I’m looking forward to seeing how they do. Both clubs have a great tradition and some very exciting young players.

“I hope my own club, YMCA, are contenders this year. We came second last year so could maybe make the extra step to the top. Merrion seemed to have bolstered their bowling in the off-season, so they could be a handful too.

Could YMCA be the team to beat in Leinster in 2013?

“Overall I think it will be a really exciting league. The standard has never been higher in my opinion. Having come into the position as Chairman of Selectors within the Irish set up I see the professionalism that goes into the National Team. As a result I will be interested in how some of our younger players do as they aspire to playing the higher level of the game. Hopefully some force their way into the Leinster Lightning team.”

The recurring theme of club cricket in 2013 seems to be that it’s very difficult to pick a winner in any of the top leagues, which can only mean there will be plenty of exciting cricket in the 2013 season.

Cricket Ireland
Will 2013 see plenty of blue skies across Ireland?
Yes