First let us talk about the weather. The forecast isn't great. But the satellite ranfall data may give us some hope that the heaviest downpours might miss Dublin. But it will be touch and go whether we can get enough clear space to finish the matches. Hopefully the squares are well protected.
Latest Dublin Forecast from Met Eireann: Rain will become heavy and persistent this morning, clearing to drier weather with scattered showers for the afternoon and evening, some of which will have a risk of thunder. Highest temperatures 16 or 17 degrees, with moderate to fresh southwest winds.
If we do get cricket today the last round of the OCD1 / OCD2 promises to be really intesting with six of the seven games having a bearing on title, promotion or relegation outcomes. At this point it is probably unnecessary to go over the figures as teams have been pouring over them for the past week. In summary:
- Clontarf just need a few points to take the title [v Phoenix]
- Pembroke still have a mathematical chance to take the title [v Railway]
- Merrion need to win if they are to overtake Railway and secure the 'play off' spot [and Railway must lose]
- Railway need to win [or Merrion not to win] to take the 'play off' spot
The only match that has no bearing on any of the above is that between The Hills and YMCA.
In OCD2 thre are three teams that could still win the title - Leinster, Cork and Balbriggan.
Leinster [v Terenure] have a margin of 4.5 points over their nearest rivals Cork. Any sort of win today shoud be enough but a bonus point as well would secure it.
The Cork v Balbriggan encounter will probably determine who takes the second 'play off' position. If Cork win that settles the matter. If Balbriggan, they still have to win on Sunday in a refix against Rush.
The final match is between Malahide and Rush, who [together with Terenure] are in frame for the second relegation place. Rush are in the weakest position and basically have to win their remaining two matches to get above the other two. If this were to happen then it would come down [between the other two] to who gets the most bonus points from their remaining game. This, of course, may all be adademic if clubs with IInd XIs in D3 continue to decline promotion.
Matches start at 12.00