It might hurt the feelings of the 8 players drawn into section 6, but there must have been some envious glances from other groups. There is no standout performer in the group that you would confidently say will emerge to the quarter-final stage. Delve a little deeper though and you’ll find a couple of decent players that will really be happy with the draw they’ve got.

Brian Kenefick was arguably the most impressive qualifier in the country, defeating former champion Chris Scannell on their home patch of Collins (Kenefick also bills from the Collins club). That is a huge performance, but even more so when you discover that Scannell produced an incredible performance himself to prevent Frank Dineen from having a legitimate reason to be in Lucan. I know Scannell was distraught at being eliminated, so one can only imagine the elation Kenefick must have felt.
His reward is a tie with the one-time and last Dublin Champion, Darren O’Reilly. Darren of course won his solitary All-Ireland at the Lucan venue exactly a decade ago. That was a huge achievement and while it was something of a surprise to those not connected to the Clondalkin club, the man himself was quietly confident of doing well at a venue he doesn’t hide his admiration for. Indeed, legend has it that so great was the amount of winnings the Clondalkin members won backing big Darren, that could take residency in Lucan afterwards.
Now, like then, O’Reilly comes in under the radar somewhat. It would be foolish to expect him to capitulate early, and I think he has a reasonable chance of doing well. O’Reilly for round 2.

The next tie is between Glenville’s Philip Byrne and Bruff’s Tom Hanley. Most Dublin people will see this as a comfortable win for Byrne, as Hanley mightn’t be that well known in the Pale, and Byrne has prior here in Lucan. Definitely Byrne is one of those players in the capital that is well capable of raising his game a couple of notches at the drop of a hat, and is a real spiky player in one-to-one combat. Hanley though has played well at times over the past few years, and will really put it up to Byrne. This is the dilemma though: Byrne will know  that there is a route to the q/f’s open and it might spur him on, but Tom Hanley is not a great first round opponent to have when there is a bit of pressure on. I’ve had a nagging doubt on me all week for this one, and I can see Hanley sneaking it.

John Ahearne of the Ballinlough parish plays Frank Ryan (of many parishes) but presently back in St. Bridgets. A tough game for John, his solid pitch and putt ability will mean this game won’t be a walkover by any means, but Frank’s greater prowess at racking up a score will mean he is strong favourite for this one. No fuss here, Frank Ryan to win.

Final game is for two comeback kids, McDonagh’s Joe Ronan, and Erry’s William Kennedy. Two players past their peak, but here this weekend totally on merit. Ronan was the better player in the heyday, and is playing that little better now too. Kennedy though is one of those players that does something incredible when you least expect it, I’ve seen that at first hand a couple of times. He is a former Leinster Matchplay finalist, so he’s no mug. That said I would expect Ronan to win, and comfortably too.

The upshot of those games would see Darren O’Reilly take on Tom Hanley and Frank Ryan battle Joe Ronan in the Shortgrass derby. O’Reilly and Ryan have got to be favourites here, and while I don’t think there can be any quarrel with Frank Ryan, I think O’Reilly has a real match on his hands if he faces Hanley. It’s hard to back against him, as logic dictates he will win, but I really fancy Hanley. To hell with it, I’m plumping for Tom Hanley to face Frank Ryan for a spot in the quarter-finals. I really expected Frank Ryan to do well in the Leinster’s on a course he plays very well, but he never really got going. I wonder will the two weeks have helped him at all? I’m sticking with my gut reaction when I first saw the draw: I felt this was a draw that could suit him, and I’m prepared to be spectacularly wrong, but I’m making Thomas Hanley my 6th quarter-finalist.