Jockeying for Position in the AIB League

The current position in AIB League Division One makes interesting viewing. Three Munster sides occupy the top three places followed by five Leinster clubs. Dungannon with two games in hand on eight teams above them cannot be ruled out of the knock-outs, nor can Buccaneers while Galwegians although languishing in 13th position could end up nearer the top considering their final five game programme.

They defeated leaders Garryowen in Crowley Park and will likely finish nearer the top than bottom when the season ends.

Young Munster’s tenure in the top flight looks extremely precarious, they squanderd a 20 point lead on Saturday against UCD in Belfield, now they have to win their last three remaining home games, pick up something on the road ( v Galwegians and Clontarf) and then hope that those above them deliver favours.

The ones whose results they’ll watch the closest include, DLSP and Ballymena – the sides immediately above them, plus Lansdowne and Co Carlow.

For Munsters, Ballymena are next-up at Clifford Park and it’s a game the home side must won or plan next year’s schedule for Division Two. But it’s the current 10th and 12th placed sides, Co Carlow and Lansdowne, who look vulnerable.

Co Carlow finish with Galwegians (home), Shannon (away), Cork Con (home), UCD (away) and finally Bayllymena (home) – Ouch.

Lansdowne are home in scuucessive weekend to Cork Con and Buccaneers, away then to Terenure, home to Dungannon and the final game in Clifford Park.

In Division Two Belfast Harlequins look home and hosed. They’re ten poiints clear and host second placed UL Bohemians in the middle of September. The runner up spot here will probably be decided when Bohs take on Old Crescent in Rosbrien in March while Wanderers and City of Derry look destined for relegation.

The winner of Division Three should come from the trio of Dublin University, Greystones and Old Wesley. Greystones defeated the student leaders last time out and travel to Donnybrook in March for a potential league title decider.

At the bottom of the table poor recent form has pitched Skerries into the relegation zone along with Richmond and Bangor. Their February meetings with Banbridge (home) and Bangor (away) will go a long way to deciding where they play next year.