AFTER ALL OF the excitement of last weekend’s National Football League denouement, it’s the turn of the hurlers this weekend.
Although it’s practically impossible to predict how things are going to pan out, here’s our best estimation of how results might affect the promotion and relegation races across the different divisions.
Division 1
Any one of five teams could still make the Division 1 final with only two points separating Kilkenny (9pts), Galway (8), Dublin (8), Tipperary(7) and Waterford (7) at the top of the table.
Things are most straightforward for Kilkenny and Galway, the only two sides who are the masters of their own destiny at this point. A win for the Cats over second-from-bottom Offaly will ensure their place in the divisional decider, although a point would do the trick if either Galway or Dublin fail to win.
Similarly, Galway know that if they can beat Waterford in Walsh Park, they too will be guaranteed a place in the final. A point could be enough for them as well, but only if Dublin and Tipperary fail to win.
A win against Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday is the only result which will keep Dublin’s hopes of a top-two finish alive, but they will need either Kilkenny or Galway to slip up for it to be of any relevance.
Although Tipperary can’t dislodge Kilkenny due to the Cats’ superior head-to-head record, a win against bottom-side Wexford would give them nine points and see them leapfrog Galway should the Tribesmen fail to win. They have a better head-to-head record against Waterford as well should both sides win and finish level on 9 points, but they’ll also need Cork to do a job on the Dubs to have any chance of making the final.
For Waterford to make the final, they’ll need to beat Galway and hope that both Dublin and Tipp lose.
Down the other end of the table, the maths is a lot more simple. Wexford need to better Offaly’s result to have any chance of survival. If both sides win, lose or draw, Wexford will go down while Offaly stay up.
Division 2
Thankfully, Division 2 is quite straightforward in comparision to the top tier. Limerick are already in the final and Westmeath are already relegated which means that second place is the only spot still up for grabs.
Clare (8pts), Antrim (8), Carlow (6) and Laois (6) are all technically in with a chance of making the final, though a win for Clare over Carlow will guarantee them a place in the decider.
Similarly, Antrim know that if they can beat Limerick and Clare fail to win, they will sneak in to steal that final position. If both Clare and Antrim draw, it is The Banner who will progress by virtue of their better head-to-head record.
If both sides lose, however, it brings Carlow and Laois into play with the possibility of all four teams finishing level on eight points. If that happens, second place will be decided on the basis of which side has the superior points difference.
At the moment, that’s Clare who are on +47 while Antrim are the next nearest on +22, meaning that Clare would need to be beaten by twenty-plus points by Carlow for any side to have a chance of catching them.
Divisional Finals
The finals of Divisions 3A, 3B and 4 all take place as well this weekend with promotion up for grabs in each.
The winner of Wicklow vs. Derry will move up to Division 2, a place in Division 3A awaits either Mayo or Roscommon, while Tyrone and South Down will do battle for a place in Division 3B.
