Cork and Tipp set for third meeting this season

Cork and Tipperary will face each other for the third time this season — and the second time in three weeks — in a Division 1 semi-final later this month.

The counties’ exciting draw in Semple Stadium yesterday helped to ensure another meeting on April 22. A Cork victory would have seen Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s side finish top of Division 1A and a semi-final date with Clare or Limerick.

Instead, best finishers Kilkenny will face the winners of next weekend’s Division 1B final in the other last four game after seeing off Galway.

The latter must lift themselves for a relegation play-off against Dublin on Sunday week.

Despite finishing on the same points as Waterford (four) and with a superior scoring difference, they finished second from bottom having lost to the Déise, who beat Dublin yesterday.

Galway manager Anthony Cunningham said he hopes Joe Canning will have recovered from his shoulder injury in time for the game.

Limerick earned their Division 1B final spot after seeing off Antrim in Belfast and they will play Clare for the fourth time this season.

Davy Fitzgerald’s unbeaten side had already qualified as table-toppers but beat Offaly with a last gasp Aaron Cunningham point in Tullamore despite being down to 14 men for most of the game.

The Division 1B final is expected to be fixed for the Gaelic Grounds next Saturday evening.

On Twitter, former Offaly hurler and selector Daithí Regan criticised manager Ollie Baker for not keeping tabs on the scoreline in Belfast when Shane Dooley had a penalty chance where a goal could have put them into the Division 1B final.

Regan claimed they were not properly informed about how Limerick were faring against Antrim.

He tweeted: “Offaly hurling management obviously not in touch with score from Belfast when Dooley told to take point from Belfast, disgrace.”

Wexford, who beat Laois yesterday, will face them again in a Division 1B relegation play-off on Sunday week.