With their 1st XI are challenging for promotion to the Premier Division, it is perhaps no surprise that Railway’s 2nd XI are making a similar move in D4. At this point their season is nearly over with only one match left [today v Clontarf 3] and they will be hoping that they can retire to the clubhouse with a substantial lead and watch their rivals drop shots [so to speak] over the final rounds. While most eyes will be focussed on the fate of Railway's 1st XI it is equally important for survival at the top level to have a team in D3.
Their main rivals are Laois and Malahide 3. Each have three games in hand over Railway but are 50 points behind. If Railway win today then Laois / Malahide will need to win all their remaining matches to overtake them. As the two sides have to play each other this means that a Railway win should just about assure them of at least a promotion spot.
At the other end of the table Merrion 3, Civil Service and Knockharley are battling it out to avoid the two relegation spots. Knockharley have games in hand but a couple of difficult games against Laois and Malahide 2 [today]. They have two fixtures v fellow strugglers Civil Service and the outcome of these will likely determine their fate.
Merrion 3 are the current D4 champions but have had a patchy season this year. They got off to a reasonable start with two early wins but have struggled to put together a run of good form since. They go into the final stage having lost their last three games and with difficult ties v Laois and Malahide 2 remaining.
Civil Service have only two games left in their season and both are against Knockharley. Their season will turn on the outcome of these games. Their path to survival is in winning these two games and hoping that Merrion’s difficult run in will leave them short. Splitting the points with Knockharley will probably not be good enough.