After this weekend we will have passed the halfway mark of the league campaigns [outstanding refixes excepted]. Completion of the first cycle of matches is an important pointer towards likely positions at the end of the season, even while the two up / two down model generally ensures continued interest in the final outcome right to the end and the real possibility for surprises. This year the league seems particularly competitive. Although Clontarf and Pembroke are leading the pack - nobody has achieved a commanding position. At the other end of the table, Railway’s win at Merrion in a re-fixed T20 has drawn at least four teams into the relegation mix.
With the change in the regulations [for 2016] governing the promotion / relegation between D1 and D2, there is now a play-off between 7th [D1] and 2nd [D2]. This means that it matters whether you are seventh or eighth. There will be a similar battle for the automatic promotion spot from D2. So still plenty to play for.
The last couple of weeks have not been kind to fixture secretaries and there is now a backlog of matches to be played across the various competitions. Today does not look too healthy either - with rain forecast for this morning, some of it heavy. It is due to get better later but it may just depend on luck whether you get a full match played or not.
The final round of D1 matches before we mark the turn around is a mixed bag with a number of teams affected by international call-ups. Pembroke will probably be happy to take on Railway U today with Kevin O’Brien absent after his match winning performance against Merrion during the week. Another win for Pembroke will put them in poll position going into the second half of the season.
YMCA are another club who will be a key player down over the weekend. They have done well in the cup but the weather has reduced their opportunities in the league and they are still looking for their second win. The Hills have three wins so could make the turn either with a shot at the title [5/7] or looking over their shoulder at 3/7] They still have a difficult refixed game to play against Clontarf. Could be a tight match between two evenly balanced sides.
The third game is between Phoenix and Clontarf. Since getting promoted to D1 this year Phoenix’s combination of upfront aggression with the bat and a mainly youthful bowling attack has served them well. But they do tend to have bad days, especially if their top order does not perform. Most pundits would account the Clontarf team the best all round side with depth to both batting and bowling. But they have come unstuck in recent weeks [Alan Murray SF v Merrion and Senior Cup SF v YMCA]. This may be an opportunity for Phoenix to spring a surprise.
The final game is between Merrion and North County at Anglesea Road. While one should never read to much into a match using the T20 format, losing to Railway will have been a blow and Merrion are certainly struggling to put together a good all round team performance. So far this year they have relied heavily on the batting and bowling of Joyce, Anderson and Kane, the last two of whom will be missing for key matches over the next two weekends. North County, who apart from one match early in the season against Pembroke, have been pretty competitive throughout, will relish taking on a weakened Merrion side.
There are also three matches today in D2. The game likely to have most impact on the final table is that between Rush and Malahide. Both teams have been in and out of form this season and a win today may give some indication of which team is best positioned to challenge Balbriggan and Leinster for a promotion spot. It may well be a last real chance for Rush who among their losses have one against DU for double points.
Balbriggan have perhaps been the most improved team in D2 this season and after their near death experience against North Kildare will be looking to consolidate their league position with a win over Cork County. In the meantime Leinster have an away fixture against Terenure for which they will be missing George Dockrell on international duty.