SUTTONIANS, who won the promotion last year from the junior ranks, should this afternoon have the distinction of becoming the first winners of a division in the Insurance Corporation All-Ireland League this season when they capture the Division Four title.
The only club in the four divisions with a 100 per cent record Suttonians stand two points clear of Ballynahinch. The north Dublin team, who have a points difference of plus 212, play Sligo, and even if they lose that match against a club third last in the division on four points, it should be celebration time at the McDowell Memorial Park. Ballynahinch, who stand two points behind" Suttonians and with a points difference of plus 156, would have to defeat Armagh by a very substantial margin to deprive Suttonians of the title.
In Division One, the champions, Shannon, who are three points clear of the nearest pursuers, St Mary's College, take on Terenure College, who are one of four clubs on 12 points, four behind the leaders. Were Terenure to succeed in beating Shannon then they would do themselves and the other clubs in the chasing pack, St Mary's, Lansdowne, Blackrock College and Garryowen, a huge favour, and open up the race if those clubs win this afternoon. But, whatever the outcome at Thomond Park, Shannon will still be top this evening.
There are some crucial matches in the relegation context this afternoon. St Mary's will be at home to one of the clubs with worries about being relegated, Old Belvedere. Old Belvedere, together with Old Crescent, Young Munster and Dungannon, are all on the six-point mark, two better off than Old Wesley and four ahead of Instonians.
Two crucial matches today will be the meeting of Old Crescent and Young Munster at Rosbrien and Dungannon and Instonians at Shane Park. Old Wesley make the journey to Lansdowne Road to meet Lansdowne. A loss will leave Old Wesley very precariously placed. Cork Constitution and Blackrock College meet at Temple Hill and Ballymena add Garryowen at Eaton Park.
Dolphin, who took over the leadership of Division Two last week, visit Monkstown, who are in the lower regions of the table but six points clear of the bottom two clubs. Clontarf, one point behind Dolphin, as are Bective Rangers, play Sunday's Well in Cork and Bective will be at home to City of Derry. Bective look to have the easier task, although Derry won last week against Sunday's Well to gain their first league points. Sunday's Well stand four points behind Dolphin, three behind Clontarf and Bective and two adrift of Greystones, who, visit Skerries.
Highfield, on two points with Derry, will be at home to Wanderers, who are in mid table. UCC and DLSP, both on eight points, meet at the Mardyke. NIFC, on three points, will need to get some return from their home match against Malone, who are one of four clubs on eight points.
A crucial match in Division Three is the meeting of Portadown and league leaders Buccaneers in Portadown. Buccaneers and Galwegians are on IS points, Portadown on 12. Both teams have a match in hand on Galwegians, who do not play this afternoon. Fourth-placed Bohemians, also on 12 points, travel to Bangor, who are in deep relegation trouble on two points. Waterpark, who are at the bottom of the table, visit Queen's University, who are in mid table. Collegians and Corinthians, on six and seven points respectively, meet at Deramore Park.
The bottom club in Division Four will be relegated this season, and UCG currently stand at the bottom on two points, one worse off than Armagh, who face that assignment against Ballynahinch, who should gain promotion this afternoon. Ards, who are two points behind Ballynahinch, meet UCG in Galway and Creggs, who are on six points and safe, meet CIYMS, who are on four. Richmond, in fourth place, and Ballina, in fifth meet in Ballina.
The first match in the round robin series of winners of the provincial junior leagues will be in Midleton tomorrow, between Munster's best, Midleton and Leinster's Carlow. The winners of the competition will be promoted, as will the runners up if they defeat the team finishing second lasts in Division Four.
