Barr’s and Ballymartle battle to avoid relegation play-off
There, the game between Ballymartle and St Finbarr’s in the third round remains outstanding, meaning Blackrock still do not know whether they will take on their great rivals in round four or the side which beat them in last year’s first round.
The losers of the Ballymartle-Barr’s tie will have to battle Ballinhassig to determine which club drops to Premier IHC level. In 2011, Ballinhassig lost by two points to eventual champions Carrigtwohill before succumbing to the drop, and this time they lost by two to holders Sarsfields as well as Bride Rovers and Killeagh.
