Hurling League divisions permutations: The lie of the land with just one round remaining

Score difference could yet decide a final berth between Cork and Limerick in Division 1A

FINAL ROUND: Robert Downey of Cork and Peter Duggan of Clare clash. Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor

Division 1A

Final: Limerick will remain in hunt for a showdown spot if they beat Kilkenny on Saturday.

Tipperary are the only team right now who know a win on Saturday week will earn them a Division 1 final.

Score difference could yet decide a final berth between Cork and Limerick who couldn’t be separated in their round game last month.

Galway’s final prospects aren’t as strong as the three Munster counties.

Relegation: A draw or win for Kilkenny against Limerick this weekend will relegate Clare and Wexford. A defeat for The Cats (-5) and Clare (-27) or Wexford (-25) have an outside chance of avoiding the drop based on score difference.

Division 1B

Promotion: Offaly are guaranteed Division 1A hurling next season.

Waterford are expected to join them - a point will suffice against The Faithful later this month - but there is a slight chance they could be caught by Carlow who have the head-to-head advantage over them. Dublin also have a slim opportunity of going up.

Relegation: Westmeath have been demoted and could be joined by Antrim, Carlow or Laois.

Antrim’s campaign has been completed and they have five points while Carlow have four with one game left. Laois have two points but could yet avoid the drop if they win their remaining two games at home to Carlow and Dublin.

Division 2

Promotion: Down’s win over Kerry on Sunday to maintain their 100% record secured them promotion.

Meath can set up a de facto league semi-final against Kildare for the remaining spot on the final day if they beat Down this weekend.

Relegation: Kerry should avoid demotion as they travel to Tyrone who are already down. That should mean the clash between Derry and Donegal is a relegation play-off.

Division 3

Promotion: London will be in Division 2 next year as will the winners of Wicklow and Mayo’s final round game in Aughrim.

Relegation: Sligo are consigned to going down. Armagh will hope to make use their extra game to stay up at the expense of Cavan or Roscommon.

Division 4

Promotion: Louth are on the way up and will be joined by either Fermanagh or Leitrim.