Birrell's blueprint brings focus for Leinster clubs

ON CRICKET:WITH THE various cup competitions entering their final stages, many Leinster clubs have turned their focus to what is the last year of present league structures before a reorganised divisional system comes into being from 2010. Based on recommendations from former Ireland senior coach Adrian Birrell, the new structures would see uniform eight-team divisions all the way down, doing away with the somewhat arcane grading system that exists.

League titles such as middle, intermediate and junior will be consigned to the dustbin of Leinster cricketing folklore, with the teams playing in the various divisions being regrouped, starting with a Premier League. Birrell’s blueprint, which has yet to be ratified, proposes the same format be adopted through the divisions, with the only difference coming in match durations.

He recommends all Premier League, Division One and Two games start at 11am on Saturdays.

The new structures would see the end of the 45-over competition at the start of the summer, with the eight-team Premier League playing off on a home and away basis. The end of the 45-over competition would free up space for the Twenty20 competition to return to a weekend schedule, a better option than its existing midweek slot.

The development of strong T20 competitions in all three unions is vitally important in a form of the game that the Ireland senior team has adapted to very quickly. With the a World Twenty20 set to be held every second year, it’s imperative the national selectors get the opportunity to unearth new talent. With that in mind, an All-Ireland competition featuring the top two sides in each union would be the perfect showcase.

Birrell proposes an automatic one-up, one-down system, with a play-off between the team in second last place in the Premier League and the team second in Division One also taking place.

Although the final proposals are still to be decided upon, the clubs know what is now required, with the battle for Premier League places starting to take shape. One side will be relegated from Section A this year, with two coming up to make up the eight teams in next year’s top flight.

Pembroke’s young side fill the bottom position in Section A at present and have yet to record a win in four matches. Leinster are 14 points clear of the Sydney Parade club, with the two likely to battle it out for the rest of the summer in a bid to avoid the drop.

YMCA lead the charge in Section B, with a strong Phoenix side, benefiting from David Langford-Smith’s international retirement, set to offer them their biggest challenge.

Away from the relegation/promotion dogfight, the chase for Section A honours looks set to be one of the best in recent years. Six points separate the top three, with Railway Union’s win over Leinster on Sunday putting them on top by a single point from Clontarf, who have a game in hand. Merrion lie in third, six points off the leaders, while defending champions The Hills will hope they can time their campaign as well as last year.

Despite being docked 25 points for the use of an ineligible player in two games, North County are still in contention and will be keen to add a fifth league title to what has been a brilliant decade for the Balrothery club.