Railway Union

Last Season: 8th

Coach: Paul Cooke (2nd season)
Players In: Stephen O’Keefe (UCD), Karl Chapple (Avoca), Andrew Holmes (Russia), Greg O’Driscoll (Cork Harlequins)
Players Out: David Jenkins (Monkstown), Brendan O’Connor (Galway)

Summary: Youth development continues to be the by-word on Park Avenue as Railway’s preseason saw several teenagers get increasing pitch-time. Jeffrey Spillane broke into the side last year and can expect more of the same while Stephen O’Keefe and Karl Chapple are good, young acquisitions.

Paul O’Brien continues to be the guide and, should he play in 2010, will have appeared in four decades in division one after 25 consecutive years registered with the first team.

Paul Cooke did a good job to keep Railway in division one with plenty to spare last time out and have the smarts to get the necessary results when it matters. UCD’s improvement, though, could make a similar outcome that bit tougher.

Kevin O’Brien, though, is likely to miss the season with cricket commitments while Kenny Carroll only joined the squad last week when similar responsibilities came to an end.

First three games: TRR (a); Corinthian (h); Clontarf (h)
Prediction: 9th