THE PICTURE FOR the knockout stages of the All-Ireland senior camogie championship will become clearer this weekend, with the final round of group games down for decision on Sunday.
The top spot in each group guarantees a direct route to the semi-final stage, with second and third-placed teams battling through the quarter-finals. Everything is still very much up for grabs at present.
There’s an intriguing top-of-the-table showdown on the cards in Group 1 with Kilkenny and Galway going head-to-head, while Group 2 is a little more complicated with three fixtures taking place this weekend.
Here’s the state of play.
Group 1
All eyes will be on Nowlan Park as 2016 All-Ireland champions and 2017 finalists Kilkenny and last year’s semi-finalists Galway face off.
With both teams tied on nine points and well clear of the chasing pack, the winner takes the top spot and goes straight into the last four.
With Waterford, Limerick and Clare all well behind, the loser of Kilkenny-Galway will still go into the quarter-finals. And if it ends in a draw, scoring difference will come into play to decide the semi-finalist.
Limerick are out of the question having fulfilled their four fixtures and earned just a point, so the attention turns to the clash of Waterford and Clare.
The Déise recorded a huge win over the Shannonsiders last weekend to keep their hopes of a first-ever knockout stage appearance alive and they now travel to Clare, hoping to realise that dream.
A win or draw would see them through to the quarter-finals, while the Banner need the full three points to advance.
So basically, Kilkenny, Galway and Waterford/Clare will progress to the knockout stages, with the placings to be decided.
Group 2
Reigning All-Ireland champions Cork are in pole position in Group 2 with four wins from four under their belt but the chasing pack are hot on their heels.
Paudie Murray’s charges welcome fourth-placed Offaly to Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday and a win would see the Rebels safely through to the semi-final.
But Offaly are chasing a knockout stage spot and need nothing less than a win themselves. Should they take the three points on offer, they’ll be in with a shout to progress but it will depend on the Tipperary-Dublin result coupled with scoring difference (and then head-to-head records if needed).
That battle between Tipp and Dublin in Parnell Park is a huge one, with three points crucial to guarantee progression.
The winner will safely secure a quarter-final place — also good to note that if Cork lose, they’ll challenge them for top spot and a direct path to the semi-final — while a draw will see them both into the last eight regardless of the result in Páirc Uí Rinn.
The loser of Tipperary-Dublin will still progress if Cork win but should Offaly come out on top, there’ll be a tie and it will come down to scoring difference.
Wexford and Meath is the third fixture down for decision but with both sides on zero points, they can’t progress.
Even if Cork lose on Sunday, it looks like they’ll still take top spot with an impressive scoring difference to their advantage, while it should be two of Tipperary, Dublin and Offaly through to the quarter-finals.
Fixtures in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland senior camogie championship
Sunday 22 July, all 2.30pm throw-in (as of now)
Group 1
- Kilkenny v Galway, Nowlan Park.
- Clare v Waterford, Cusack Park, Ennis.
Group 2
- Cork v Offaly, Páirc Uí Rinn.
- Dublin v Tipperary, Parnell Park.
- Wexford v Meath, St Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy.
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