League Deciders

With the season closing in on its final scheduled month for league matches, the first divisional champions were confirmed this week with Three Rock Ladies thirds taking division 7. Up and down the leagues, many issues will be decided in the next few weeks. Here’s a rundown of some of those that are likely to be resolved soon:

Men’s Division 2:
Contenders: Railway Union and Suttonians
Lowdown: Basically, it looked cut and dried until Suttonians and their Pakistani trio threw a spanner in the works, beating Railway 5-2 last weekend. It still looks like Railway will go straight back up but Suttonians could be tricky in the promotion/relegation playoff to get into division 1 for the very first time.

Women’s Division 2
Contenders: Bray, Glenanne, Pembroke 2, Railway 2
Lowdown: Bray did look to have this league in the bag before a late season blip has brought a number of teams back into contention. They travel to Pembroke on March 15 which could decide matters. If it doesn’t, Railway against Pembroke could be another key tie on the final day of the season.

Men’s Division 4
Contenders: Glenanne 3, Pembroke 3, Corinthian 3
Lowdown: Glenanne seemed to have the title sewn up three weeks ago but a shock first loss in over a year to bottom of the table Railway has brought Pembroke and Corinthian back into the race. They still hold the advantage but in Leinster’s biggest league, there could be plenty of twists in the final six matches.

Women’s Division 4
Contenders: Genesis 2, Avoca
Lowdown: Genesis need three points from their matches with the bottom two sides Naas and already relegated Old Alex. Chasers Avoca have a tough fixture to negotiate at Newbridge and win their final three games to have any chance.

Men’s Division 5
Contenders: Pembroke 4, Three Rock 4
Lowdown: Probably the most cut and dried men’s lead. Three Rock will win the title with victory over YMCA this weekend. Otherwise they need three points from their last three games to ensure at the very least a playoff.

Women’s Division 6
Contenders: Our Lady’s 2, Trinity 3
Lowdown: Our Lady’s need just a point from their final two games.

Women’s Division 9
Contenders: Phoenix Park, UCD 5
Lowdown: Fairly cut and dried. UCD are nominally still in with a chance with four games in hand as the only side to be able to draw level with Phoenix Park. Even if they win, PP still need to lose both their matches left.