The final round of matches in RSA OCD1 [apart from a refix of Pembroke v Clontarf] takes place tomorrow. Once again the battles for the title and to avoid relegation go down to the wire and an exciting and tense Saturday is in store for players and supporters. The only club without anything at stake at this point is Clontarf, although Pembroke are only in danger of demotion were a cruel and unusual set of circumstances to occur so extreme as to infringe the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution.
Having lost to Merrion last night in a T20 refix means that The Hills have to win against YMCA if they are to stay up. Their league got off to a poor start in April and May but a good mid-season run, which also saw them lift the RSA Irish Senior Cup and get to the Alan Murray finals, looked to have brought them to mid-table safety. But they always had a difficult run in and really needed to win against North County last Sunday to take the pressure off.
Railway have looked the most likely for the second relegation spot for much of the season. But starting with a great win against Merrion at the start of August they have strung together three wins and their fate is now very much in their own hands. If they can complete the month with a win against North County in Inch they are safe. If they lose they have to hope that The Hills don’t spring a surprise on YMCA.
The final club in the relegation shake up is North County. Throughout the season they have managed back to back wins only once and their lack of consistency is what has them scrambling for points now. They have only won once in six games against the top three teams and have dropped points to Terenure, The Hills and previously to Railway. They have just done enough to get to the end of the year a home tie away from safety.
At the top of the table it has been a two-horse race for the title for most of the year. Merrion got off to the perfect start and rolled off seven victories in a row to complete the first cycle of matches comfortably in front. A mid-season dip in form, which saw them depart all cup competitions, also dropped them to second place in the league for a time. But they have fought back and a crucial second win over YMCA means that they go into the final round in poll position.
YMCA have been dogged competitors all season and have come out on top in a number of close encounters. Their task tomorrow is simple. They have to beat The Hills and hope that Merrion slip up against Clontarf.
In the final match Pembroke are at home to Terenure and need five points to guarantee D1 cricket next season, with their refix against Clontarf still to play.
Met Eireann have promised a mostly dry day tomorrow with only light showers likely in the morning. Hopefully this will encourage as many as possible to get out and support their clubs. For those that cannot we will be following the matches live on the Match Centre.