Dramatic weekend expected
SMART phones will be working overtime in Louth this weekend as the final round of league games go down for decision on Saturday and Sunday evening.
There’s plenty to play for at the top and bottom of Divisions 1-3, with two trophies up for grabs and dreaded relegation positions to be decided.
Unusually, the most clear-cut battle appears to be the race for O’Donnell Cup places in Division 1.
Dreadnots, St Mary’s and Dundalk Gaels all secured their top-four spots last weekend and it will take a remarkable sequence of results to deny Naomh Mairtin the last semi-final berth this Saturday.
The Jocks appear to hold all the aces ahead of their final game away to Clan na Gael.
A win or draw would guarantee them the last semi-final slot, but even if they lose they should still hang on to fourth place.
They currently sit two points ahead of St Patrick’s, Cooley Kickhams and Mattock Rangers, but crucially hold a head-tohead advantage over all three. Furthermore, they boast a significantly better score difference than the chasing trio, should three or more teams end up on the same points.
So it’s all about relegation in the top tier, with Clans, Sean O’Mahony’s, Newtown Blues, Geraldines and Kilkerley Emmets all still in the danger zone.
Kilkerley occupy the automatic relegation spot at present, a point adrift of Blues and Geraldines. They must beat St Patrick’s in their final game and hope one, or both, of their rivals lose against Mattock Rangers and Cooley Kickhams respectively.
Clans and O’Mahony’s won’t have to worry about automatic relegation, but they could still get dragged into the play-offs.
The odds are stacked against Kilkerley, but thereafter the permutations are mind-boggling and score difference clooks set to be crucial.
For once county board officials will be spared an anxious wait at a deserted crossroads as Division 2 concludes on Saturday evening.
The trophy can be safely stowed in Ballygassen as Naomh Fionnbarra entertain St Bride’s in a winner-takes all showdown.
Bride’s are two points clear of their hosts, so a win or draw will secure the title and promotion.
A Finbarr’s win would see the sides finish level on 18 points, but the head-to-head rule would ensure the Togher men are crowned champions.
Behind the leading pair, Hunterstown Rovers, St Joseph’s and O Raghallaigh’s are battling for the two remaining play-off places.
At the bottom of the table it’s a straight fight between Dundalk rivals Na Piarsaigh and Young Irelands.
Na Piarsaigh hold the headto-head trump card, so Young Irelands will have to better their neighbours result to avoid automatic relegation.
The Division 3 title race hass looked a foregone conclusion since Glyde Rangers won a crucial clash with St Kevin’s a few weeks ago and they will seal the deal with a win over relegation-threatened Naomh Malachi on Sunday evening.
Roche, St Kevin’s and Lannliere will join the second-from-bottom side in Division 2 in the play-offs.
At the bottom of Division 3, Dowdallshill are doomed, but the race to avoid the play-off position is still very much alive.
John Mitchels are level with St Bride’s, who conceded their second walkover of the campaign to Naomh Malachi last weekend.
The points boosted the Mals’ survival prospects, while the walkovers mean that if the Knockbridge outfit are involved in a three-way tie, score difference cannot be used.