WITH the first division title in the Insurance Corporation All-Ireland League yet again a Shannon preserve, the focus in the premier division is firmly on the relegation issue in this afternoon's final series of matches.
In the second division, it will be celebration time for Clontarf who have won the title and will be presented with their trophies this afternoon at Castle Avenue when they meet Greystones. The second promotion berth in the division will also be decided this afternoon, while the two to be relegated could also be decreed.
Transistors and calculators will get plenty of use this afternoon as clubs in the danger zone and - in the case of the second division - promotion race seek news of the fate of those in similar circumstances.
It will be a particularly anxious afternoon for Old Belvedere and Old Wesley as they seek to retain their first division status, but it looks very likely that one or other will be relegated. Old Belvedere take on Garryowen at Anglesea Road and Old Wesley face Young Munster at Tom Clifford Park. Old Belvedere and Old Wesley are both on six points and Old Belvedere hold a five-point advantage in the points difference.
So an extremely close and tense afternoon for these two clubs. The irony is that even if both win then one will still go down. Ironically should both lose, one will still stay up.
Dungannon and Old Crescent are on eight points, but both would have to lose by very big margins and Old Wesley and Old Belvedere would have to win very comprehensively to bring Dungannon and Old Crescent into the relegation equation. Bearing in mind the relevant statistics, that is scarcely realistic.
In the event of clubs ending level on match points, points difference will determine the situation. Old Belvedere's points difference is minus 104, Old Weshey's minus 109, while Dungannon, minus 39, and Old Crescent, minus, 28 should not have to worry.
The champions, Shannon, travel to Instonians, who are relegated, but Shannon will want to finish the league in style before they set about defending the Munster Senior Cup.
In division two, Dolphin are in the best position to accompany Clontarf into the top sphere. If Dolphin win at Malone, then they will gain first division status for the first time. Dolphin stand on 17 points. Bective Rangers are on 16 and they will be at home to UCC, while Skerries, also on 16, they travel to DLSP.
On the points difference issue, Bective are best placed with plus 86, as opposed to Dolphin's plus 44 and Skerries plus 30. So if Dolphin lose or draw and Bective win then it would most likely be Bective who would gain first division status. A win for Skerries at Kilternan could give them the berth if Dolphin and Bective lose.
On the relegation issue, Highfield, with four points, are at the bottom of the table, and City of Derry are also on four points, but they have a match in hand, while NIFC stand on five points. City of Derry's outstanding match is against DLSP, a game postponed some week ago.
A key match this afternoon is the meeting of Derry and NIFC at Judge's Road. A win for Derry will mean relegation for NIFC, a win for NIFC will mean relegation for Derry and Highfield.
Highfield face Sunday's Well in a local derby at Musgrave Park. If Highfield and Derry win, then the final relegation place would be between Derry and Highfield with the Derry match against DLSP then taking on considerable importance. Derry are also best placed of the three in the matter of points difference. They are minus 60, Highfield minus 77 and NIFC minus 140.
