AT A GLANCE - OPEN COMPETITIONS DIVISION 4-8

As we enter the business end of the season, it’s time to take a quick look at how the various Divisions are progressing, today we kick off proceedings with a look at Open Competitions, Divisions 4 through 8.

Division 4

Division 4 currently sees Civil Service 2 sitting on top in a comfortable position, residing 37 points clear of second placed Wexford Wanderers who have also played a game more than the leaders. Laois sit in 3^rd place on 132.5 points but most importantly have only played 10 games versus Wexford’s 12 and Civil Service’s 11. If they can take advantage of their game in hand and another side can do them a favour they could be the dark horse to take Division 4 for 2025.

At the other end of the table things are looking dismal for Terenure’s 2 as they currently occupy the base of the table with 58 points, Sandyford are in the other relegation spot but in a better position on 98 points. The silver lining for both of these teams in that they have played only 9 games in the case of Terenure and 7 in the case of Sandyford. With Merrion 3 well within reach given the games played this relegation battle is sure to go down to the final week.

Division 5

Division 5 sees a strong Phoenix 2 in pole position to take the title, they are currently on 184 points having lost just 1 game all season. Castleknock 1 are in second but they are 35.5 points behind the league leaders having played a game more, and face a mountain to climb if they are to take home the title for 2025. Malahide are another team to note who have had a strong showing but will likely be too far away to mount a realistic challenge on the title.

The foot of this table makes for very interesting reading with only 10 points separating 5^th from 8^th, North Kildare 2 currently reside in last place but are only 9.5 points from safety. Greystones 1 are in 5^th but sit just 2.5 points above the drop zone. This is sure to be a captivating battle and well worth keeping an eye on an we head into the season’s end.

Division 6

This league is all but over as it looks for all money that Leinster 3s will be heading back to Division as champions for 2025. They currently sit 50.5 points clear at the top of the table having only lost one game all season. Adamstown 2 and Rush 2 have fought hard in this division and it still up for grabs between them who will take the secondary promotion spot as they are currently separated by only 6.5 points in the table. Mathematically, Civil Service 3 are not out of contention yet, however they must distance themselves from the relegation battle firstly if they are to consider the title an option!

It is another tight battle at the base of this table with it all still to play for. Merrion 4 currently sit bottom of the table but only a win and few bonus points separate them from safety. Mullingar 1 are in second last on 101.5 but will know a win for them, coupled with a loss for 6^th placed Civil Service 3 could see them leapfrog them to safety. Civil Service 3 and Clontarf 3 currently occupy the spots above the drop but one suspects they will be looking downward rather than upward in the last few rounds of fixtures.

Division 7

Continuing in the same vein as the other leagues, the league leaders for Division 7, Tyrrelstown, look in a strong position to be champions for 2025. Athlone are in second but still 32 points behind the west-Dublin side, and they will need a very strong finish to their campaign to win this league. They are however sitting pretty in the promotion spots with only DLR County 1 in any position to mount a challenge on them, lying in 3^rd on 160.5 points.

It is a sorry looking table for Pembroke’s 3 as they look all but guaranteed as members of Division 8 in 2026, their 10 losses have seen them only able to amass 79.5 points. The prognosis for Phoenix 3 who sit in 7^th place is far better they are only one win away from 5^th placed Carlow and will be looking to put pressure on them and Ashbourne in the last few rounds.

Division 8

This division sees Clondalkin 1 in a strong position to take the title for 2025, they currently sit 40 points free of Swords 1 at the top of table on 186 points. The second promotion spot is interesting one in this league with both Leinster 4 and Civil Service 4 hot on the heels of Swords, only 6.5 points separate the 3 sides.

Knockharley 2 are looking doomed for 2025 and barring some remarkable results will be playing their cricket in Division 9 next  season, they are currently on 65 points adrift at the base of the table. North Kildare 3 are in the second relegation spot but only by .5 of a point, Phoenix 4 are the final team in danger of getting dragged into the relegation fight, but they do have games in hand on the sides below them.