CIE Ranch made it four promotions on the bounce as they hammered Mount Merrion 6-2 in LSL Sunday Senior 1B at the Works in Inchicore.
Ranch will now ply their trade in the third tier of intermediate football after achieving successive promotions in each of their four seasons since returning from the AUL.
The Inchicore club are now neck and neck with Dublin University at the top of the table with identical point and goal difference – 51 and 28 respectively.
Dublin University host already-relegated CYM on the final day, while CIE face a tricky trip to in-form Leicester Celtic.
Ranch need to equal their rivals’ scoreline in order to secure the league title as they lead in both goals scored and head-to-head.
“We’ll be up against it trying to get more goals than them,” Keith Cronin, who manages the team with assistant Keith Conroy, told the Dublin Gazette.
“On paper, they have an easier match. We’re playing Leicester, who are unbeaten in five, and they’re playing CYM who are relegated and taking goals in left, right and centre.”
With Dublin University beating Confey 3-1 on Sunday, CIE did their bit to bring the goal difference back in their favour as they hammered six past a strong Mount Merrion side.
Keith Eagers and Gary Sullivan both scored twice outside of a goal from Lee O’Sullivan and an own goal.
Sullivan’s first was the pick of the bunch, a 30-yard screamer that left the Mount Merrion keeper with no chance.
They conceded twice in the second half, once from the penalty spot, but have done enough to get their noses slightly in front going into the final day’s action.
It brings to a close a phenomenal season for the club, who reached the last 16 of the FAI Intermediate Cup before going out to Avondale United on a replay.
That was enough to earn them a spot in the draw for the qualifying round, and they won their tie against Intermediate Cup semi-finalists to book a spot in the main draw.
And there’s only one team Cronin has his eye on when the draw is made over the summer – as his brother Glenn is assistant manager at Shamrock Rovers.
“To be in the open draw of the FAI Cup, and to get to the last 16 of the Intermediate Cup was a big bonus as well.
“To be in the draw for the FAI Cup is amazing for the club and where it’s come from.
“My brother is Glenn Cronin the Shamrock Rovers coach, so it would be nice to get him in the draw, wouldn’t it?”
