It was very much a case of so near yet so far for Merrion who fell at the final hurdle in two of the major competitions.

Their league campaign saw them finish second to The Hills, winning ten and losing four of their matches.

They suffered a surprise exit in the second round of the Leinster Senior Cup, losing a high scoring affair against second division side Malahide.

They finished mid table in the Alan Murray T20 competition, while they lost to Clontarf in the final of the Irish Senior Cup - their third final in four years.

The Anglesea Road club used 23 players in the campaign - more than  most, but 10 players played 13 times or more, suggesting a settled side, with the others being used as stop-gaps.

Their batting was very consistent and strong - they scored 30 half centuries - the most by any club in Ireland and also made four centuries - John Anderson (2), Tyrone Kane and Brett Thompson.

Thompson, Anderson and Ben Ackland all featured in the top seven of the LCU aggregate list, while skipper Dom Joyce was 17th.

Overseas professional Brett Thompson was the epitome of consistency hitting 9 fifties and a hundred in his haul of 847 runs at 52.94, just ahead of John Anderson who topped the averages as his 832 runs came at 75.64.

Ben Ackland made 639 runs at 35.50, while Dom Joyce hit 479 at 43.55. Peter Blakeney made 309 at 23.77, while Tyrone Kane's 302 came at 23.23.

Others who chipped in were Kade Beasley (232 at 29.00) and David Watkins (197 at 17.91).

The bowling was steady but not spectacular. The club badly missing the cutting edge of Irish passport holding Australian state cricketer Ronan McDonald, who cut short his Irish adventure, having failed to attract the interest of either the Leinster or Irish selectors.

The club had four bowlers ranked between 10th and 14th in the LCU aggregates, with John Anderson taking 24 wickets at 18.38 the best.

David Watkins and Dom Joyce also claimed 24, at 18.75 and 20.83 respectively. Tyrone Kane managed 23 at 21.61, while others who made double figures were Simon Morrissey (15 at 27.60, and Nathan Rowe (13 at 39.23).

On the fielding front Ben Ackland managed 16 dismissals behind the wicket, while John Anderson (11) and David Watkins (10) made the top even in the Leinster aggregate catches list.

Skipper Dom Joyce reflected on the season saying: "I'm disappointed with the season in the end. We came second in the league and lost in the Irish Senior Cup final but we want a trophy otherwise it's a failure.

"The league was so tight that a few dropped catches have cost us and also Max Sorensen hitting 80 odd off 40 balls in our game with the Hills.

"The low point of the season was definitely our fielding in the ISC final - I  don't know what happened there, but it was embarrassing.

"There were lots of high points though. John Anderson was as brilliant as ever. Our overseas player Brett Thompson was incredibly consistent and settled in the club seamlessly. David Watkins really came though this year and bowled excellently for us. Tom Stanton proved he has a very wise head on young shoulders.

"Ben Ackland got more consistency into his game this year but needs the big scores to make the next step up - he is well capable of that. Tyrone Kane proved unplayable with the ball at times but also needs more consistency with the bat to be one of the best around.

" Most of our players had a good season if you look at the statistics. 10 out of 14 wins will win the league most times I would think, but the Hills beat us twice and that's where they won it!"

BATTING

  • Brett Thompson 847 runs at 52.94
  • John Anderson 832 at 75.64
  • Ben Ackland 639 at 35.50
  • Dom Joyce 479 at 43.55
  • Peter Blakeney 309 at 23.77
  • Tyrone Kane 302 at 23.23
  • Kade Beasley 232 at 29.00
  • David Watkins 197 at 17.91

BOWLING

  • John Anderson 24 wkts at 18.38
  • David Watkins 24 at 18.75
  • Dom Joyce 24 at 20.83
  • Tyrone Kane 23 at 21.61
  • Simon Morrissey 15 at 27.60
  • Nathan Rowe 13 at 39.23