The penultimate weekend of the Whitney Moore & Keller Leinster Senior League gives Leinster the opportunity to copper-fasten their position at the top of Section A at the expense of Merrion at Rathmines this afternoon, weather always permitting, of course.
This will be Leinster's last match of the campaign. Carlisle, 60 points adrift of the leaders, have three games in hand, so they could, in theory, still win the section in their swan-song season, should Merrion manage to upset the Leinster apple-cart.
Clontarf, assured of promotion from Section B, are not likely to be rolled over by North County at The Nevitt, while Malahide's anticipated home victory over Old Belvedere would keep their aspirations alive.
Tomorrow's Section A match against Pembroke at Sydney Parade will be important for YMCA, with the spectre of relegation looming large. The Hills meanwhile should collect another 20 points, courtesy of Rush.
"It is with no small relief that I send you this, my last set of weekend umpiring appointments," began yesterday's weekly fax from genial Stu Daultrey, hon appointments secretary of the Leinster Umpires' Association, who maintains that he is definitely retiring from the post. Fridays won't be the same; the only thing is, I seem to have heard that resignation rumour before - like last year, for instance.
