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Divisions 1 & 2: Preview of the weekend 30th April - 2nd May

What a fantastic set of fixtures to open the 2011 Division 1 season!  Saturday sees a full programme, plus two interesting matches in Division 2.  A tasty local derby in Division 2 on Sunday is followed by three Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup preliminary round matches on Monday, plus another interesting Division 1 game.

Two teams showing minimal change from last year are Merrion and Clontarf.  Unless a rabbit is pulled from the hat, Clontarf will be very much as per the 2010 teamsheet, while Merrion swap 2010 batting pro Greg Clarence for 2008 and 2009 bowling pro Matt Petrie.  The presence of the big Queenslander should give Merrion the edge, and I go for a home win.

I shall be at Inch to see newly promoted Phoenix mix it with the biggest fish in the pond, North County.  Phoenix have been active in the persuasion business, convincing Jeremy Bray to leave Milverton and rejoin them.  They've also convinced  former Old Belvedere keeper/batsman Syed Ali and spinner Saadaf Raza that there's more fun on the south side of the Park wall.  South African import Siphe Mzaidume, an opening bowler, is hoped to make up for the loss of Morne Bauer.

North County haven't retained WACA player Jimmy Boyland, but have another Perth export, Josh Reeves.  At the time of writing it isn't known what is the situation regarding Andre Botha, but he only played nine or ten games for them last year, and they're still a pretty good unit without him.  Obviously, they're a much better team with him, but who wouldn't be?  I think there are still too many holes in the Phoenix squad, and I expect County to win.  Find out if I'm right on Saturday by following baldstu on Twitter.

The shortest away trip in Irish cricket (any cricket? Let me know!) is Railway Union's visit to Pembroke.  Graham McCoy has rejoined YMCA, so I presume Rohit Bahl will don the gloves for the 'Broke, who will reveal pro Jono Hickey.  They shouldn't be good enough to beat Railway, who might feature Patrick Collins, about whom I know Sweet Fanny Adams.

The third match in Dublin 4 is at Claremont Road, where YMCA entertain The Hills.  Former Wilberry, Albert van der Merwe, will be keen to impress, as will Jesuit former pupil, Sameer Dutt (I am joking!).  Another new name on the YM teamsheet should be Travis Partridge, a teacher in High School.  I expect YM to shade this one, but I won't be in the least surprised if I'm wrong.  But I never am (surprised, that is, not wrong)!

Also on Saturday is a vitaller in Division 2, when the two demoted clubs meet in the Village.  Malahide had an easy win over a sub-strength The Hills 2 last week, but they'll find Leinster a much tougher ask.  Corey Edwards, an opening bowler, replaces the now First Class Carlos Brathwaite, but what worries me most is the lack of a regular keeper at Rathmines.  A moderate bowling attack needs the best gloveman possible, and having seen Paul Tweddle for Malahide, I think he'll tip the balance to the home team.

The other Division 2 match should be formality for Rush, although visitors Old Belvedere have a great record at Kenure.  I shall be amazed if even a sub-strength Rush team doesn't whoop a very substandard Old Belvedere.

Now we come to Sunday's game between the second strings of The Hills and North County.  Unless the Wilberries can put out close to their strongest side, they'll get their derrieres tanned.  Follow baldstu on Twitter to know to look out for brown leather in Skerries on Monday.

Terenure have perhaps missed a trick by having their first game of the season in Rathmines as an Irish Senior Cup eliminator, especially as very promising sprog Darren Nicol appears to have gone to Pembroke, and former skipper Donal Vaughan is still waltzing his Matilda.  Unless new pro Jason Kleyweg is even better than last year's Shane Mott (now turning out for The Netherlands), the 'Nure will not be in the first round proper entertaining Muckamore.

I shall be in Rathmines (follow baldstu on Twitter), although the game in the Village is really tempting.  The Russians make the short trip across the Broadmeadow, and presumably will be able to play Eoghan Conway.  This tips it for me to the men from Kenure.

At Sydney Parade, Pembroke welcome Old Belvedere.  This has to be a home banker, but if there's one team who knows how to play on crap pitches, it's Belvo.  Even so, home win and a trip for the 'Broke to Wallace Park.

Also on bank holiday Monday, Clontarf travel to Inch to face North County.  'Tarf are traditionally slow starters to the season, and even an AA call-out wouldn't be enough to get them up and running.  I'm afraid that only bonus ponts will stop them from looking up at everybody else in the table on May's first Tuesday.