Clontarf keep eye on play-off

Leinster Senior A's bottom club Clontarf will be taking more than a passing interest in the outcome of tomorrow's final fixtures in Senior B, where Hermes II, UCD and Corinthians, who are three points behind the joint leaders, are all in contention for a top of the table finish.

Unlike last season, however, Clontarf can no longer depend on Hermes II to help them retain their Senior A status. Because they cannot be promoted to a division which already includes their first team, Hermes II's title play-off win over UCD a year ago saved Clontarf from relegation. But a change in the league rules since then would appear to weaken their survival hopes.

Even if Hermes II fail to win automatic promotion by topping Senior B, a runners-up spot for UCD or Corinthians would see them through to a play-off against Clontarf, giving them a second chance of playing Senior A hockey next season.

Corinthians, who play fourth-placed Pembroke Wanderers II at Whitechurch, would appear to have the toughest final fixture of the three; Hermes II and UCD meet bottom three sides Muckross II and Railway Union II, respectively. Even a point tomorrow would guarantee UCD at least second place and a chance to make up for last year's play-off heartbreak, when they lost on penalty strokes to Hermes II.

Glenanne and Trinity, who have finished in joint eighth in Senior A, must also meet in a play-off to decide who takes a place in next season's Irish Senior Cup. A date has not yet been set for the match.

The race for the Senior A title is no less competitive, but Hermes must take at least a point from their match against Trinity on Sunday if they are to keep their hopes of retaining their title alive. They play leaders Old Alexandra, whom they trail by seven points but with two games in hand, at Belfield next Wednesday night and the following week they meet Muckross in their final fixture of the season.

In Munster, Harlequins need just a point from their last league game against Bandon next week to retain their title, but before then they play UCC in Sunday's Munster Senior Cup final at Farmers' Cross.