The final count down - OC D1 and D2
Weather permitting [the forecast is for sunny spells through the day with the occasional heavy shower] there is another exciting day in prospect as we approach the final run in as teams in D1/D2 pursue glory and seek to avoid the drop.
In D1, for the first time in the season, Merrion find themselves at the top of the table, but they are only one point ahead of Clontarf who have a match in hand. Indeed three points separate the top three teams with North County the third team chasing the title.
The big game of the weekend is the 2nd v 4th match between Clontarf and YMCA. This may be YMCA’s last chance to stay in contention and they will be up against it away to Clontarf with a couple of players down through injury. Clontarf have won their last three league games and you have to go back to 11th July since they last lost in the league [to North County].
Merrion and North County have home fixtures [against Cork and Railway respectively] and both will be hoping that there are no slip-ups so that they can maintain pressure on Clontarf. The last match of the weekend sees Pembroke take on Malahide. Though not fully safe, Pembroke a win against bottom placed Malahide will see them secure for another season. For Malahide not all is lost but they need to string together at least two wins out of their last four games to have any hope of survival. And even that may not be enough. For Cork and Railway who are within a point of each other, if they cannot get a win then the bonus points will still matter.
As matters stand it looks like two out of three from Cork, Railway and Malahide will go down. Malahide are a win behind the other two teams so are under greatest pressure. All have four games to play. The final fixtures for the three teams look like this.
| | P | 22nd Aug | 29th Aug | 6th Sept | 12th Sept |
| Cork County | 77 | Merrion [A] | Clontarf [H] | Pembroke [A] | Malahide [H] |
| Railway Union | 76 | N County [A] | Malahide [H] | Merrion [H] | YMCA [H] |
| Malahide | 61 | Pembroke [A] | Railway [A] | YMCA [H] | Cork [A] |
Railway have three home fixtures but the most difficult set of remaining matches. Malahide have the opportunity to play both of their immediate rivals so their fate is to a greater degree in their own hands. Cork have a vital match against Malahide in the Mardyke in the final round. So all still to play for.
While the mathematicians may disagree, Rush’s defeat of Terenure last night has pretty much reduced interest [bragging rights excepted] in D2 down to two battles. With Terenure losing they are out of contention for the second promotion spot which is between Phoenix and Leinster. The top match today, which is between the two teams, thus is close to a winners takes all decider. With a couple of matches to play [and Phoenix with a match in hand] the outcome won’t be finally determined in the Park but whoever wins will have at least one hand on the virtual runners up trophy. The bookies have long stopped taking bets on anyone but The Hills winning the D2 title.
At the other end of the table, DU are fixed to the bottom but Balbriggan and YMCA IIs are still battling it out. Balbriggan are in the better position being six points in front with a match in hand. But the two teams go head to head in the last round and if YMCA IIs can stay within about 20 points going into the last match it could set up a tense and dramatic final. Both teams have to play The Hills [so not too many points likely there] and Balbriggan have an extra game against Rush which they could win [and thus take the route to safety away from YMCA II].
In D2 there are only two matches today, Phoenix v Leinster and Balbriggan v The Hills.