Sport

All to play for as eight still hope

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE/Analysis: With just two weekends to go before the official end of the AIB All Ireland League stage one, many…

Sat Mar 16 2002 - 00:00

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE/Analysis: With just two weekends to go before the official end of the AIB All Ireland League stage one, many positions, particularly at the top of the table, are still up for winning, writes Johnny Watterson

Shannon and Cork Constitution remain favourites to claim the two home semi-final fixtures for the play-offs with the second two places (third and fourth) potentially open to six teams.

Terenure and Garryowen have it in their own hands to secure those last two positions while St Mary's, UCD and Blackrock are hoping for a door to open so they can step up.

Clontarf are a different matter because of their postponed match against Buccaneers last weekend, which will now take place tomorrow week. They have three matches to play. If they win all three with maximum points (unlikely), the resulting 49 points will be enough to ensure a semi-final.

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Shannon (45 pts, 1st): To play Buccaneers (h), Terenure (a). An unlikely scenario but Shannon can still be caught if they get nothing from their last two games and the chasing Cork Constitution, Garryowen and Clontarf win their remaining matches and gain bonus points. A win and bonus point today secures the Limerick side a home semi-final.

Cork Constitution (43 pts, 2nd): To play Terenure (h), Buccaneers (a). Cork Con are also in a strong position for a home semi-final. With just three bonus points they've struggled in that sphere but today's match is a crunch game. A win would secure a home semi-final, if Clontarf, with three matches remaining, don't clear 15 points.

Terenure (36pts, 3rd): To play Cork Constitution (a), Shannon (h). Couldn't have asked for a tougher run-in with Cork Con needing to win today. Terenure's maximum is 46 points, which would keep them in the top four but against these two teams it's hard to see that happening.

Garryowen (35 pts, 4th): To play Ballymena (a), UCD (h). Their maximum is 45 points, a total Clontarf could outstrip if they win three matches, which would give them 46 points. Ballymena are mid-table and going nowhere while UCD on 34 points are hoping a door will open for them for a top-four place. Still in the balance.

Clontarf (34 pts, 5th): To play Young Munster (h), Dungannon (a), Buccaneers (a). Last week's match in Moher Road was called off leaving Clontarf with a match in hand and how important that will be. They can win a maximum of 49 points, which would get them to third overall, or, with three wins for 46 points they would also slip in to the top four. The wins are possible, the maximums unlikely.

St Mary's College (34 pts, 6th): To play DLSP (h), Blackrock (a). Totally out of their hands and hoping that one of the five teams above them drops points in the last two matches. Terenure, Garryowen and Clontarf look most vulnerable but, if it comes down to it, beating Blackrock in Stradbrook in the last match of the season is a big call.

UCD (34 pts, 7th): To play Carlow (h), Garryowen (a). Also relying on those above them to open a door while they win their last two matches and maybe pick up a bonus point. Their maximum, like St Mary's, is 44 points but they've a worse points difference. Possible but rank outsiders.

Blackrock (33 pts, 8th): To play Galwegians (a), St Mary's (h). Again, like UCD, a long shot and dependent on other teams dropping points around the table while they extract five points from two difficult teams.

Ballymena (29 pts, 9th): To play Garryowen (h), Carlow (a). Theoretically in the relegation zone but highly unlikely to fret. A point would secure their status and they have to play Carlow in their last match.

Dungannon (28 pts, 10th): To play Lansdowne (a), Clontarf (h). Last year's winners face a tough game in Lansdowne Road and a Clontarf side needing to win for a top-four place. But at nine points ahead of DLSP, they look good to stay up. A win or draw will do.

Galwegians (28 pts, 11th): To play Blackrock (h), DLSP (a). Also nine points ahead of DLSP, who they play in their final match. A win or draw secures status.

Lansdowne (26 pts, 12th): To play Dungannon (h), Young Munster (a). They could worry if they lose against Dungannon and DLSP get maximum points off St Mary's at Templeville Road. A win secures their status.

Buccaneers (25 pts, 13th): To play Shannon (a), Galwegians (h), Clontarf (h). Like Clontarf Bucc's have three matches left. They need five points to ensure that in the event of a sparkling finish from DLSP they are not caught. Looking at the opposition, that could be difficult.

Carlow (21 pts, 14th): To play UCD (a), Ballymena (h). Concerned faces around Oakpark. Just two points above DLSP, the out-of-form Carlow need something from these two matches to keep their distance. Their maximum achievable tally is 31 points with DLSP's at 29 points. It's still in their hands. Just.

DLSP (19 pts, 15th): To play St Mary's (a), Galwegians (h). St Mary's are outsiders chasing a top four place and Galwegians have been practically playing with a Connacht team. It is now out of DLSP's hands and all they can hope for is for Carlow, particularly, to crash and burn while they pick up more than two points.

Young Munster (7 pts, 16th): To play Clontarf (a), Lansdowne (h). After a difficult season they are already relegated. Their role now is to keep the league honest by playing tough in the last two matches.