The Final ‘Full’ Weekend for OC Leagues

Weather permitting [and even in some cases where not] many of the outstanding title, promotion and relegation issues will be settled this weekend. We hope to get as much information as possible up on the Match Centre today so we would ask that updates be sent in wherever possible.

D1        Three teams still in with a chance of the title with the big match today between Merrion and Clontarf. With a match in hand and their final outing a refix against Cork, Clontarf are in the strongest position. But they still have to get past Merrion who despite their losses last weekend have had a strong second half to the season. North County just need to win to keep ahead of Clontarf and get enough points to stay ahead of Merrion. They have a margin of two at the moment. Malahide are confirmed relegated with Cork most likely to go down with them.

D2      The promotion and relegation spots determined. But one important match remains, between Rush and Leisnter, to decide who gets to compete in the Irish Senior Cup next year. That match takes place in Kenure today.

D3        Merrion II and Clontarf II have secured the two top spots. Merrion have a full game in hand [one point behind] so the title is theirs to win. Merrion are home to Laois on Sunday and Clontarf take on Pembroke II. The Hills II are relegated and will be joined by either Pembroke or Phoenix II. Phoenix take on already relegated Civil Service but although they have the easier fixture, Phoenix have to make up 24 points in a single match. So Pembroke strong favourites to stay up.

D4       There are a few matches still to play, but all places already decided. Malahide II the winners and North County II runners up. YMCA III and Merrion III relegated – though Merrion will hope for a reprieve with their Merrion IV due to be promoted from D5.

D5:       Title and promotion spots decided with Phoenix III the winners and Merrion IV runners up. Terenure II relegated. Mullingar have three games in hand so all is not lost but they need to win at least two and get some bonus points. Other teams also have to drop their percentages.

D6:       Apart from Railway Union IV, who take one of the relegation places, the competition is still open with Knockharley and Clontarf III battling it out for the title. North County III may also be in with a shout [they have a win over Sandyford not recorded and an unknown result against Railway]. Taken into account results not yet confirmed it looks like Rush II [currently sixth] are probably safe and Sandyford down.

D7:       Merrion V are promoted and in a strong position to take title. Dundrum II are the only team that can catch them and this requires them to win [with a lot of bonus points] their two remaining matches and for Merrion to lose theirs [and get very few bonus points]. Dundrum take on Merrion on Sunday and if they win the title may not be decided until the following week when Merrion are at home to Wexford. Clontarf V are relegated, with the second spot between Laois II and Wexford who play each other today.

D8:       Bagenalstown have won the league and Civil Service II and Wicklow County are relegated. Leinster IV, YMCA IV and Knockharley II are all in with a chance of the second promotion spot. YMCA are home to Knockharley today.

D9        Title still to play for but the promotion spots are all but tied up. North County IV have one of the two spots and unless Adamstown get nothing from their last two games [and Malahide IV get the maximum] they will join them. Adamstown are also in poll position to take the title. Mullingar II and Sandyford II are detached at the bottom but still have enough matches to get them out of trouble.

D10      Taking into account a win not yet officially recorded, Swords are guaranteed one of the two promotion spots. Longford are relegated. A number of games this weekend but Dundalk have another match next weekend so the title may have to wait another week.

D11:     There is only one scheduled match left in this league and it does not affect the tables. There are, however, some outstanding scorecards. YMCA V have won the league and go up with Castleknock II. The two teams expected to go down when all scorecards are submitted are Merrion VI and Civil Service III.

D12:     All sorted at the top with Adamstown III winners and The Hills IV runners up. Still matches to play at the bottom so nothing decided. Halverstown are struggling and will need a run of wins to overtake 6^th placed Malahide V. Leinster VI are also in trouble and are 10 percentage points from safety with three matches [two of their own and one by Malahide still to be played. The match between Malahide and Halverstown could decide things today.

D13      Tight at the top between Phoenix V and Laois III with one match each still to play. A Phoenix win today away to North Kildare III [and get some bonus points] this should be enough to secure the title. If they mess up then Dundrum III [with two matches left] or Laois III are waiting in the wings. Pembroke VI and Railway Union VI are confirmed in bottom two places.

D14:     All the promotion and relegation positions are determined, but with one match each to play Leinster VII and Bagenalstown II are still disputing the title. Bagenalstown needs to win today to keep pressure on leaders, Leinster.

D15:     Civil Service IV have won the league with Balbriggan III runners up. With the as yet unconfirmed win of Civil Service over Merrion VIII, the latter have only a mathematical chance of survival. Rush IV in the other danger spot – but have matches in hand.

D16      Carlow victory celebrations still on hold. One more win from their remaining two games will secure the title but other permutations are possible involving bonus points. At this point they are so far ahead it is difficult to see them being denied now.  The real battle may well be between Ashbourne and N Kildare IV for the second spot.  It should all be decided this weekend.

Usual apologies if I have missed something and of course a reminder that everything re relegation and promotion has to be confirmed by the Open Competitions Committee.

The unofficial tables as currently known.