Galway and Kilkenny in pole position for final slot

SEVEN of the eight teams in Division 1 have everything to play for (except Cork) and four of the eight teams in Division 2 are in the same situation.

Kilkenny (9) and Galway (8) are the favourites to reach the final. If they both win they will be in the decider, regardless of events anywhere else.

Dublin (8) away to Cork can remain tied on points with Galway, but as the first tie-breaker is the head-to-head and Galway beat Dublin, that will still put Galway through. But should Waterford beat Galway and Dublin beat Cork, then Dublin will be in the final, their first since 1946.

Still with us? Right let’s stay with Waterford. If they beat Galway and if both Tipp (7) and Dublin lose, then Waterford leap-frog them into a league final place.

But, what if Offaly beat Kilkenny, who can then be overtaken by both Galway and Dublin if they both win? This would relegate Wexford, regardless of how they fare against Tipperary (Offaly beat Wexford).

If Offaly lose and Wexford win, then the Yellowbellies leapfrog Offaly and the Midlanders go down.

In Division 2, Limerick (12) are already secure with six wins from six. A win for Clare (8) in Ennis against Carlow (6) takes every other possibility for them out of the mix. Even if Antrim (8) win in Loughgiel, Clare will still meet Limerick in the final.

A loss and they can be overtaken if Antrim win or draw; a heavy loss, combined with a big win for Laois (6) away to Kerry, and it will all come down to scoring difference between Clare (+47), Antrim (+12), Laois (+7) and Carlow (+3).

No confusion at the bottom, however; Westmeath, hosting Down but with six losses from six games, are already relegated.