Having missed out on D3 in the last article while awaiting results to be submitted, we return to it now. Leinster IIs are having a good season and are comfortably top of the league [30% point gap] without losing a match. They are only halfway through their scheduled matches so they can still be caught but will any of the chasing pack have the stamina to put together the required string of victories. Pembroke II and Merrion II are closest with only one less win each than the leaders - but they both have been clocking up losses as well.
With such a strong 1st XI and having just won the Senior II Cup it is a bit surprising to find Clontarf II at the bottom of the table. Mind you they have three matches to refix so have plenty of time to rescue their season. Malahide IIs and YMCA IIs are most in danger if Clontarf stage a revival.
Bagenalstown are another team with a comfortable lead in their league [D7]. They are the only team to emerge from what is something of a scrum of teams, all of whom have 4/5 wins. It is possible that anyone of these could emerge from the pack to challenge the leaders but with everyone beating everyone else Bagenalstown are very much in poll position. But they have still to complete half their matches. Their next two games are at home so they have a good chance of still being on top before the final run in. At the other end of the table two teams have become detached - North County III and Laois II. They have some work to do to drag one of the other teams into the relegation battle.
Clontarf IVs are ahead in D8 but not by much from Swords. Plenty of games still to play and the two sides meet early in September. Clontarf took on third placed Pembroke IVs in a refixed match during the week and a win by 94 runs consolidates their position at the top of the table. It is a seven team league so [depending on the OCC] there may only be one team relegated. If so then it is very likely to be Leinster IV who have yet to win a league game this year.
The D9 title is already sorted as Dublin University II have completed their programme without losing a game. Carlow are looking in good shape to take the second spot with a 20% point gap over Wicklow in third. Again it is a seven team league and Civil Service II are without a win and a good way behind. CS will be given what may well prove a final chance to save themselves on the 19th Aug. when they take on sixth placed Slieve Bloom.
D10 is one of the more competitive leagues this year with Clondalkin less than 5% points ahead of Greystones II with Longford also within chasing distance. An away fixture for Longford for Clondalkin on 20th Aug will be an interesting challenge. If they can get past that they will be in strong position as they don’t have to play Greystones again this season.