Next year these three sides will have to contend with newly merged Rathfarnham / Tallaght promoted from division two after defeating Malahide 5-3 in Sunday's Heidenfeld (div 2) final round match, a result which cost the losers promotion as they too were pipped by Phibsboro with a big final round score. Phibsboro will field two teams in the Armstrong next year while Rathfarnham / Tallaght has already announced its ambitions with GM Alex Baburin, David Dunne as well as both Delaney brothers all likely to contribute to a strong championship challenge.
The south county Dublin side was also successful in Division three and will benefit in coming years from an active junior coaching policy. Also of note were promotions for UCD’s second and third teams (their top team’s Armstrong challenge wilted dramatically after Christmas and they only narrowly avoided relegation). The other university team, TCD (Dublin Univ) - occasional league entrants these days - were successful in their first year in the Bodley Cup, winning the title and gaining promotion.