Crunch weekend for YMCA, who with one eye on the RSA Leinster Senior Cup Final on Sunday, have a difficult home tie against Merrion the day before. Following their dramatic loss last weekend to Leinster, YMCA are now in a three-way contest with Merrion and The Hills for the title. They probably have the hardest series of matches of the three clubs but the advantage that the outcome is in their own hands – wins against Merrion and then next weekend against The Hills would almost certainly secure them the Championship.
In the other key match, The Hills take on a revitalised Leinster in Milverton. After their excellent performance against North County in the last round, The Hills will be confident of another victory but they have tested the blood pressure of their supporters a number of times this season – while still coming out on top. The Hills have proved themselves to be a very resilient team and will be hoping for another big batting performance to put the game beyond their opponents.
Leinster are 50 points adrift of the teams above them and must win [and again over the final two rounds] to have a realistic chance of survival. They got a boost during the week when the LCU Appeals Board rejected the appeal by Railway Union against the result of the match between the two sides from earlier in the season. However, Saturday against The Hills will be their biggest challenge this year, which they must win to have any hope of staying in Division 1.
At the same time their potential rivals, Pembroke and Railway Union, face off in Sydney Parade. If Leinster manage a win then the loser of the Sandymount tie may still have some work to do to stay out of relegation trouble. With the cup final the following day, Pembroke, in particular, will need to stay focussed.
The final match between Phoenix and North County has the feel of one of those dead rubbers that were so common years ago when there was no relegation from Division 1. Pride and averages of course are at stake.
Division 2 also has an end of season feel to it. Clontarf [v Terenure] will be happy to get in some practice before the RSA Irish Senior Cup Final the following week, and also to finally secure the D2 title that has looked to be theirs from the start of the year. Terenure will be hoping to delay Clontarf’s coronation as D2 winners for another week and, if they fail, looking over their shoulder to see if Rush can put together a late run. Rush travel to Anglesea Road looking for a win that might add a little excitment to the promotion race.
Merrion IIs will be looking to spring another surprise and repeat their narrow win against Rush at the start of June, but with Balbriggan sitting out the round, their main focus will be on the encounter between the two sides on 31st August which will likely determine who escapes the second relegation spot.
The final match of the weekend is between Leinster II and Malahide with nothing much at stake.