Stakes high for pivotal weekend of league action

home and hosed in first and second respectively, but third and fourth placed Sean O’Mahony’s and Kilkerley Emmets have St Mary’s and Cooley Kickhams breathing down their necks and realistically cannot afford a late slip-up.

It’s just as tight at the top in Division 2 with St Bride’s, Clan Na Gael and Dundalk Gaels all on 17 points respectively.

If all three remain on equal points St Bride’s will be promoted automatically on score difference, but if only two teams were to finish level, it could get complicated.

Having beaten them in an earlier round the Gaels have the head-tohead advantage over St Bride’s; Clans defeated the Gaels giving them on the edge, while St Bride’s defeated the Clans which would see them pip the Castletown men on the head-to-head rule.

Things are a little more clear-cut at the bottom with Glyde already relegated to Division 3 and Naomh Fionnbarra en route to the playoffs unless they beat St Bride’s. Eeven then they need a favour from Oliver Plunketts or the Gaels as they need Na Piarsaigh or O Raghallaigh’s to lose to overtake either side.

In Division 3 Glen Emmets are already promoted as league champions and Roche are safely into the promotion/relegation play-offs.

Four teams are vying for the remaining two spots and remarkably they play each other in their final games, with Lannleire hosting their neighbours St Kevin’s and Stabannon Parnells travelling to take on Sean McDernotts.

The winners of each game will join Roche in the play-offs.

This year only second, third and fourth will secure play-off positions in Divisions 2 and 3 with the third from bottom team in the division above entering the play-off at the first stage.

As always two teams who finish level will be separated by the earlier result between the sides, and if three or more teams are level, score difference will come into play.