State of Play: Week of fate as AIL reaches business end

After 17 weeks, things are starting to take shape in the Energia All-Ireland League.

From 1A to 2C, and even the regional qualifiers, it's make or break for plenty of seasons when the AIL reaches its final round of regular season games next Saturday, where both silverware or mere survival will be regarded as a success.

Here's the state of play right across the divisions, ahead of Round 18, next Saturday 15 April.

Division 1A - The play-off picture

The top four has already been decided in 1A, but there's still some jostling for positions to be had on the final weekend, before we find out the semi-final pairings.

Champions and leaders Clontarf have come into form at the right time, winning six in a row since their January defeat to Cork Constitution, and have leapfrogged Terenure to the top.

With a five-point lead, they know a losing bonus-point is all they will need in the final round to be guaranteed of top spot heading into the play-offs, with Young Munster their most likely opposition; the Cookies are locked into fourth place with a game to spare.

Terenure look on course to pick up home advantage in the second semi-final, but they'll be hugely frustrated not to have wrapped it up a week ago, when their 29-23 defeat away to Con saw the Cork side close within two points.

A win for Nure at home to Shannon would be enough to guarantee a home semi-final at Lakelands, and more than likely against Con, but if they slip up, they could be returning to Temple Hill to face Con in the last four.

The Relegation fight

Garryowen's dismal season saw their relegation to 1B confirmed several weeks ago, while one of Shannon, UCD or Dublin University will be heading for the promotion/relegation play-off.

As things stand, Shannon need a big swing