
On the 8th March we welcome Dublin University to the Vineyard for what could be a Title deciding match. They are still the clear favourites to win despite being 2.5 points behind. Why?…because they are guaranteed to pick up at least 9 if not maximum points in their final 2 matches, whilst we face the 3rd and 5th placed teams respectively in a much harder finale. There is no pressure whatsoever on the University team because their task is clear, avoid defeat, and watch us try and get the 8 points we need when they could only manage 7.5 against the same opposition. It is looking increasingly likely that we will lose our top 2 boards for those games as they will be required for the struggling Armstrong team in their fight to avoid the drop. The University have the statistics in their favour because they have only ever lost once since they returned to the league, and that was when they played Malahide with less than half a team and still almost drew the game. The University may have struggled in every game this season, as every team has given their all in competition, yet, they have won with ease, while we have practically played out of our skins! With near the same players, we lost the corresponding fixture 0.5-4.5 last season, and have an appalling match record against them. The University have consistently stated that we will see the very best they have when they visit. If bringing in a Candidate Master as cover is a start, then please refer to my earlier comments when I said that they have an unlimited pool of players to choose from….whilst we don’t. Those, whether we like it or not…are the cold hard pre-match facts. Is it then hopeless for us?
NO, of course not…….. I’ve never voted against our team, and it’s not starting now….
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