WHAT’S AT STAKE – FINAL WEEKEND! (PREMIER & CHAMPIONSHIP)

This weekend sees one of the tightest IBI Corporate Finance Cricket Leinster Premier League seasons in recent memory come to a climax, and after last week’s full set of washouts, there was no chance for the teams at the bottom to claw any ground back on those above them, however what that did confirm was that Balbriggan were PL Champions having won the Championship last season, emulating most recently Merrion who achieved the same feat in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

The IBI Corporate Finance Premier League Trophy and medals will be presented to Balbriggan CC at the CL Awards Night & Gala Dinner in the Round Room at the Mansion House on 20th January.

IBI Corporate Finance Premier League

The real business is at the bottom of the table, presently Pembroke are worst placed to stay in the Division, they know they’ll need to win, and hope both Clontarf and Phoenix fail to do so in order to stay up. A no result would see Clontarf safe, and therefore relegate the Sydney Parade side, however were they to lose, and Phoenix suffer a no result, Pembroke would need a minimum of 24 points to haul themselves off the foot of the table.

Phoenix are the other side currently in the danger zone, however a win would see them leapfrog YMCA should the Sandymount side suffer defeat against Balbriggan, it would then lie with whether Clontarf could secure a victory to see themselves to safety, and potentially put YMCA in hot water.

The Hills are the other team who will be feeling somewhat anxious, as victories for Phoenix, Clontarf and YMCA could potentially see them join Pembroke in the bottom 2, they do know, however, that taking 3 bonus points from their fixture against Phoenix would make it impossible for the Park side to overtake them.

The IBI Corporate Finance Championship meanwhile is very much alive at both ends of the table. Starting at the top, two from Leinster, North Kildare and Railway Union will secure promotion to the Premier League in this weekend’s fixtures. Leinster currently hold a 6 point lead at the top of the table, meaning any sort of win for them would secure the title for the Rathmines side, they face bottom side Cork Harlequins in a game which they will be heavy favourites to win.

North Kildare sit half a point clear of Railway Union in second place meaning essentially the side which achieves the better result this weekend will finish up second in the table. Railway travel to Rush who secured their safety with last week’s victory over Cork County, whilst North Kildare host Terenure.

IBI Corporate Finance Championship

At the foot of the table, Cork Harlequins are already well adrift at the bottom of the table, meaning it falls between two teams for who will finish in 7th spot come Saturday evening. Cork County make the trip to Inch to face North County, knowing that a win will keep them safe. The Inch side have a formidable home record so far this season, winning 5 out of 6 games and only losing to Leinster having suffered a collapse on the verge of rain, they also defeated Cork County in The Mardyke earlier in the year, so it will not be an easy assignment for the Leesiders.

Terenure currently sit in 7th place and travel to Kilcock to face North Kildare in a game they must win to have a chance of overtaking Cork County. They will also be hoping for a North County victory to aid matters, should Cork County suffer defeat, Terenure would need a 23 point victory at most to overtake the Munster side.

So lots to play for on both an individual and team basis! And remember, all awards (individual & team) will be presented at the CL Awards Night & Gala Dinner on Friday 20th January.

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