National Hurling League Division 1
BEFORE A SLIOTAR had been struck yesterday afternoon, Galway’s hurlers had a pretty clear idea of what was required of them. Win and they would be guaranteed a place in the Division 1 final, lose and they would most likely miss out.
Their opponents yesterday afternoon, Waterford, had an outside chance of making the final themselves and diligently went about their task, leaving the Tribesmen to play catch-up throughout. A late point from the returning Joe Canning looked to have earned the defending champions a face-saving draw but not a place in the final before Pauric Mahony put them out of their misery, slotting a 30-metre free to give Waterford a 1-17 to 1-16 victory.
Galway’s defeat left the door open for Dublin who knew that a win against Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh would leave the door ajar for them to claim a place in the Division 1 final for the first time in 65 years. Corner-forward Paul Ryan posted 1-08 of the Dubs’ total as Anthony Daly’s men withstood some late pressure to hang on for a 1-15 to 1-14 victory and book their place in the decider.
Their opponents on May 1 will be Kilkenny who made no mistake in beating relegation-threatened Offaly to top the table in Division 1. The Cats led by 1-15 to 0-10 at the interval, maintaining their advantage in the second period to seal an eight-point victory of 1-27 to 1-19. The achievement was marred slightly, however, by an injury to substitute Aidan Fogarty who is unlikely to play any part in the game against Dublin.
Offaly’s defeat was sufficient to send them down to Division 2, capping a disappointing season in which they only managed a single victory. Joe Dooley’s men would have survived by the skin of their teeth, however, had it not been for an injury-time goal from Wexford’s Willie Doran at Semple Stadium. The substitute’s strike earned Wexford a 1-14 to 0-17 draw against Tipperary, saving their place in the top flight in the process.
Results: Tipperary 0-17 Wexford 1-14; Waterford 1-17 Galway 1-16; Cork 1-14 Dublin 1-15; Kilkenny 1-27 Offaly 1-19.
Final: Kilkenny vs. Dublin
Relegated: Offaly
National Hurling League Division 2
With Limerick’s place in the Division 2 final already secure and Westmeath’s relegation confirmed two weeks ago, second place was the only prize on offer on the final day of Division 2.
Clare started the afternoon knowing that a win against fellow promotion hopefuls Carlow would see them through to the Division 2 final. They made no mistake, romping to an emphatic 32-point victory to set up a date with Limerick in a fortnight’s time.
That result made the afternoon’s other games largely irrelevant. As it happened, the Banner’s nearest rivals, Antrim, couldn’t keep pace with the eagle-eyed Limerick forward line who maintained their side’s 100% record with a 4-15 to 0-15 victory at Loughgiel yesterday.
Another of the contenders for second spot, Laois, also put on a four-goal display as they beat Kerry by 4-15 to 1-15. Goals from Garry Reddan and Owen Holohan complemented a brace from midfielder Seán Bourke, but Clare’s win meant the O’Moore’s efforts were only good enough for a third-place finish this time around.
Results: Antrim 0-15 Limerick 4-15; Kerry 1-15 Laois 4-15; Westmeath 3-15 Down 4-14; Clare 4-28 Carlow 0-08.
Final: Limerick vs. Clare
Relegated: Westmeath
National Hurling League Division 3A
Derry’s hurlers once again squandered a chance at promotion as they lost the Division 3A final to Wickow by a score of 2-20 to 3-14.
A solid opening 35 minutes from the Ulstermen saw them establish a five-point lead at the break but Wicklow responded well in the second half, drawing level with five minutes remaining before Jonathan O’Neill closed out a three-point victory with a pair of excellently taken long-range points.
Promoted: Wicklow
Relegated: Armagh
National Hurling League Division 3B
Roscommon earned a place in Division 3A yesterday at Mayo’s expense, seeing off their provincial rivals by a score of 0-17 to 1-12 at Carrick-on-Shannon.
An first-half goal from Ronan Cullinane had given the Green and Red the early advantage in this promotion decider, but resilient defending from Seamus Qualter’s men managed to limit Mayo to just four points in the second half, allowing the Rossies forwards to pick off scores and see their team through to a two-point victory.
Promoted: Roscommon
Relegated: Sligo
National Hurling League Division 4
Tyrone came into their own during the final twenty minutes of yesterday’s Division 4 final at the Athletic Grounds, outscoring South Down by 1-05 to a single point as they claimed the league’s sole promotion spot.
Rory O’Neill’s goal in the 61st minute ultimately proved to be crucial, shifting the momentum of the game in the latter stages and allowing the Red Hand to ease away to a 1-15 to 0-11 victory.
Promoted: Tyrone
