We have reached the time of the season when the promotion and relegation outcomes are determined week by week. After every match day there are a few more teams that earn their promotion or learn that the only hope of survival lies in the hands of the cricket administrators. But for most teams down the Divisions there is still everything to play for.

 

Once again OC Division 1 looks like going down to the wire. With Merrion’s narrowest of wins over YMCA yesterday, there are still four teams that have a realistic chance of the title. Clontarf are in poll position. Just a few points behind leaders North County, but with a game in hand. But they have a tough run in with September games against North County and Merrion. First up next week though will be another tough [home] game against YMCA. 

 

Apart from their must win match with Clontarf, YMCA have a relatively easy run in and do not have to play any of the other title contenders. But with one win less than Clontarf [and a game less] they have to win everything and pick up bonus points to retain the Championship. 

 

North County for many are the surprise package this year. Currently top of the table [but with only four matches remaining], they have three home games, including a crucial one against Merrion at the end of the month. But they will also have to get past Clontarf in Castle Avenue on the 6th September. The route to the title is in their own hands.

 

Merrion are currently lying fourth with a game in hand over YMCA and North County. Providing they overcome Malahide in a refixed T20 [next Thursday] they have a shot at doing one better than last year. But they will have to come from behind and beat their main rivals on the way. Last season Merrion’s hopes came unstuck when they lost to Railway Union in Park Avenue. They have to play them again at the same venue on September 6th. Over the next three weeks their aim will be to stay in contention and hope to set up a head-to-head decider with Clontarf on the last day in Anglesea Road. 

 

At the other end of the table all four teams are still in the mix but Pembroke, after a run of three wins in a row, have clear light between themselves and the rest. Malahide are most in danger with only two wins out of nine games. They may need to win three out of the remaining five to survive, starting with the Merrion game. Four of their fixtures are away, which doesn’t help, but at least the run in includes all their rivals so they know what they have to do. 

 

Cork County with three wins [one not yet included in the official league table] have two very difficult matches coming up against Merrion [A] and Clontarf [H]. A win in either of these would be a massive boost but if nothing else they need the bonus points. Wins against Pembroke [A] and Malahide [H] in the last round will probably be enough to secure survival. 

 

One point behind Cork [but with a game less to play], Railway have managed three wins but haven’t picked up too many points recently. They have a difficult run in with matches against there of the four top sides. A home fixture against Malahide on the 29th August is a ‘must win’ but they may also need bonus points. 

 

There are two many permutations to see a clear path through to the final day. But for the moment every match and every point counts in D1. Things are a little clearer in D2. Trinity are firmly cemented to the bottom and of course have no more matches to play. For some time YMCA II looked very likely to be the second team demoted, but their surprise win over Phoenix in a re-fixed T20 has opened up a path to survival. They are now within less than ten points of Balbriggan [who have a game in hand] and if this point count does not stretch out too much the two teams face each other on the final day in Claremont Rd. YMCA’s other game is away to The Hills so there is unlikely to be too many points on offer for them there. 

 

Balbriggan also have to take on The Hills and have another home fixture the following week against Rush. Balbriggan will be targeting a win in this match so that it does not come down to a shoot out with YMCA on the last day.

 

Rush are almost safe due to their four wins and much better bonus point count, but not quite. Although they can still be caught by both of the teams below them a win against Terenure next week or even more bonus points than YMCA II get off The Hills, and they should be OK barring a YMCA win over The Hills. There is a nightmare scenario possible, but it is so unlikely that it shouldn’t keep anyone from sleeping at night. 

 

The Hills’ midweek loss to Leinster has certainly opened up the promotion race, but it is unlikely to make any difference to their eventual success in D2. More than 25 points ahead of Leinster in second place, and a match in hand, The Hills have a good chance of securing the title before the end of August with matches against Balbriggan and YMCA II. 

 

But the second promotion spot is still very much open. Terenure can still make it but this requires an unlikely sequence of results. They may well be happy to have survived, and survived well, in D2 this year with a team that has had to be extensively rebuilt. And they can still affect the outcome of the promotion race when they take on Phoenix. 

 

Phoenix have a game in hand on their two nearest rivals but as it is against The Hills [last match of season] they would not want to have to rely on points from that game. The match against Leinster next week is the key fixture, but they may have to beat Terenure also the following week. Leinster on the other hand have a simple job - win their last two games and they are promoted. If they lose to Phoenix then they have to rely on both Terenure and The Hills to beat their rivals in order to be promoted. 

 

Finally, today Pembroke and Merrion take on NCU opposition in the semi-finals of the Irish Senior Cup. Pembroke look to have the more difficult task against Waringstown who are currently in joint first place in their Premier league and have just come off a thumping 289 run victory over bottom club Ballymena. But after a run of three straight wins, Pembroke will fancy their position as under-dogs. 

 

In the other match CSNI travel to Anglesea Road. Mid-table they lost by over 100 runs to joint leaders North Down yesterday, but defeated Waringstown in a low scoring encounter earlier in the month. Merrion have home advantage  but will have to recharge the batteries after two draining matches in two days. 

 

In the National Cup, Rush take on Greystones in Kenure and will be expected to progress. In the other game Dundrum travel to Drummond. The home team are probably favourites for this but Dundrum are well capable of springing a surprise. 

 

Anything can happen in semi-finals.