Permutations overflowing as National Camogie League enters last weekend of round-robin

Cathal Murray’s Galway are at home to Cork on Saturday and know that victory over their great rivals, coupled with Kilkenny drawing or losing to Antrim, would propel them into the decider

Orlaith Cahalane of Cork fights for possession with Mairead Eviston of Tipperary during the National League tie in Pairc Uí Rinn. Pic: David Ribeiro/Inpho

For those unfamiliar with camogie’s topflight spring format, there are six teams in Division 1A. The final comprises the two teams who finish first and second after the five weekends of round-robin action.

Unbeaten Waterford have secured a first-ever final berth with a round to spare. The remaining spot has many admirers. Galway, Kilkenny, Tipperary, and Cork could all end up nabbing it.

The relegation conversation is similarly packed. It is the bottom, sixth-place team that drops to Division 1B.

Antrim currently occupy that relegation berth. But, rather incredibly, every other team outside of already-progressed Waterford could finish in the drop zone, including All-Ireland champions Galway and League holders Cork.

Unlike the men’s side of the house, head-to-head is not the deciding factor if two teams finish level on points. Score difference is King, or should that be Queen in this instance.

And in one further departure from the men’s game, it is three points for a win, not two.

The race for final involvement

Galway (6pts, +1): Cathal Murray’s side are at home to Cork on Saturday and know that victory over their great rivals, coupled with Kilkenny drawing or losing to Antrim, would propel them into the decider. A Galway win still gets them there even in the event of Kilkenny besting Antrim, so long as the six-point superiority the Tribeswomen currently have on the Cats in score difference isn’t wiped out. A Galway draw could also be enough, if Kilkenny and Antrim also finish level, and Tipperary do not overcome Waterford.

Kilkenny (6pts, -5): Victory does the trick, if Galway fail to take maximum points off Cork. Victory by seven points more than a Galway win over Cork also does the job. A draw is no use to them.

Tipperary (4pts, +7): The fact they are at home to already qualified Waterford is a significant plus. Inflicting a first defeat on the Déise is non-negotiable. Added to that, they need Kilkenny to either draw with or lose to Antrim, and for Galway to lose or draw with Cork. In the event of a Cork win, it cannot be seven points greater than the size of the Premier’s success over in-form Waterford.

Cork (4pts, +1): First requirement is to reverse last August’s All-Ireland final heartbreak. The favour they’re asking of Antrim is a win or draw for the Saffrons at Nowlan Park. A win or draw from Waterford, against Tipp, would also be massively appreciated. If Waterford don’t oblige, Cork need to record a winning-margin seven points greater than Tipp.

The race away from the drop

Antrim (3pts, -26): This is no lost rescue mission. Their form in stunning Cork and almost stunning Galway suggests another head-turning result, this time at Nowlan Park, is more than possible.

Along with a head-turning win away to Kilkenny, Antrim require either Cork or Tipperary to come off second best against Galway or Waterford respectively.

Cork: If Ger Manley's side suffer a third defeat of the campaign, coupled with an Antrim win and Tipperary taking at least a point off Waterford, the reigning League champions will be relegated. A Tipp defeat could still see them sunk, on account of Cork’s inferior score difference outlined above.

Tipperary: Antrim winning and Cork drawing or winning condemns James Heffernan’s side to the second tier.

Kilkenny: Unlikely, but still plausible. An 11-point defeat at home to Antrim, as well as Cork and Tipp wins, will take Kilkenny from third to sixth.

Galway: Most unlikely. But we’ll sketch out the map nonetheless. Galway’s score difference is currently 27 points better than Antrim. The combined totals of an Antrim win and Galway defeat would need to wipe out that score difference. Tipp must also down Waterford to confirm a sensational Galway slide from second to see you later Division 1A.