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EXPLAINED | All the permutations in the Allianz Hurling League

The group stages of the Allianz Hurling League is being wrapped up in record time, with every tea...



EXPLAINED | All the permutatio...
Hurling

EXPLAINED | All the permutations in the Allianz Hurling League

The group stages of the Allianz Hurling League is being wrapped up in record time, with every team playing their final round of league games this weekend before the knockout stages - assuming Storm Emma doesn't have other ideas.

As ever the concise nature of the competition means there's still plenty up for grabs with permutations galore in all six divisions.

Here's how it stands in each league and what each side will be looking for ahead of the final day.

DIVISION 1A

As it stands:
1. Wexford (6 pts)
2. Clare (6 pts)
3. Kilkenny (4 pts)
4. Tipperary (4 pts)
5. Waterford (2 pts)
6. Cork (2 pts)

What's at stake:
The top four contest the quarter-finals with the top four in 1B, while the bottom two contest a relegation playoff.

Wexford and Clare can both look forward to a place in the quarter-finals ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Kilkenny v Wexford, 2.30pm @ Nowlan Park

The Cats head into the game knowing at least a draw will seal their place in the quarter-finals, while a loss would still be OK as long as Tipperary avoid defeat to Cork. If the Rebels were to pick up two points then the team with the worse points difference between Kilkenny (+3), Tipperary (+9) and Cork (-10) would finish in the bottom two.

Wexford are already guaranteed a last eight spot.

Tipperary v Cork, 2.30pm @ Semple Stadium

Much like their rivals, Tipperary also know at least a point books them a place in the quarter-finals. However a loss coupled with wins for Kilkenny and Clare would see Tipp face Waterford in a relegation decider, as Cork's better head-to-head record would mean they'd finish about Michael Ryan's men.

This scenario is Cork's most likely route to the quarter-finals. A win for Wexford as stated above would mean it comes down to points difference which becomes a trickier affair.

Waterford v Clare, 2.30pm @ Walsh Park

Waterford need a huge amount to go their way on Sunday. First they must beat Clare comfortably, and then hope both Cork and Wexford pick up wins. That scenario would leave four teams sitting on four points, and the teams with the two worst points difference would contest a relegation playoff. As the Deise's current PD stands at a massive -19, only those three results coupled with a massive points swing would give them a place in the top four.

Clare's spot in the quarters is already secure.

DIVISION 1B

As it stands: 
1. Limerick (8 pts)
2. Galway (8 pts)
3. Offaly (4 pts)
4. Laois (2 pts)
5. Dublin (2 pts)
6. Antrim (0 pts)

What's at stake:
The top four contest the Division 1 quarter-finals, the team that finishes 1st is promoted to 1A, and the bottom two contest a relegation playoff.

Limerick are hoping this is the year they finally end their long spell in Division 1B ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

Galway v Limerick, 2.30pm @ Pearse Stadium

In terms of what's at stake this has the potential to be the game of the weekend. It's a straight shootout between the sides with the winners guaranteed top spot and a place in Division 1A next year, with the losers settling for second and no promotion. A draw favours Limerick because of their far superior points difference.

Laois v Dublin, 2.30pm @ O'Moore Park

Again this one has turned into a winner-takes-all affair. The winners stay in Division 1B and will contest a quarter-finals, while the losers face Antrim in a relegation playoff. A draw will favour Laois.

Offaly v Antrim, 2.30pm @ Birr

There's little to play for here with Antrim already consigned to a place in the bottom two and Offaly guaranteed a commendable 3rd place in the table.

 

DIVISION 2A

As it stands:
1. Westmeath (8 pts)
2. Carlow (6 pts)
3. Kerry (6 pts)
4. Meath (4 pts)
5. Kildare (0 pts)
6. London (0 pts)

What's at stake:
The top two sides contest a 2A final with the winners promoted to 1B, while the bottom side drops to 2B.

Micheal Ryan's Westmeath have been the team to beat in Division 2A this year ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Meath v Carlow, 1pm @ Pairc Tailteann

A win sends Carlow into the final with a place in Division 1B on the line. While Meath can mathematically still reach the decider they need to win by a mammoth 18 points and still hope other results go their way.

London v Kildare, 1pm @ Ruislip

A de-facto relegation playoff, with the winners surviving in 2A for another year and the losers dropping down to 2B. A draw will suit Kildare.

Westmeath v Kerry, 1pm @ TEG Cusack Park

The game that will go a long way to deciding the make-up on the group. Westmeath need just a point to finish in the top two and seal a final place, however a loss coupled with a win for Carlow would see them miss out because of their points difference.

Kerry also know a win sends them through to the final, while a loss would only suffice if Meath beat Carlow. In that scenario the team with the best points difference between Carlow (+35), Kerry (+45) and Meath (-4) would face Westmeath in the decider.

DIVISION 2B

As it stands:
1. Mayo (8 pts)
2. Down (6 pts)
3. Wicklow (4 pts)
4. Donegal (4 pts)
5. Armagh (2 pts)
6. Derry (0 pts)

What's at stake:
The top two contest the final with the winners promoted to 2A, while the bottom two will play in a relegation playoff with the losers dropping to 3A.

Armagh and Derry in action during the 2017 Nicky Rackard Cup final ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

Armagh v Donegal, 2.30pm @ Athletic Grounds

If Armagh fail to win they'll play Derry in a relegation playoff, while a win would see Donegal drop into the bottom two as long as Wicklow beat a winless Derry. In the scenario where Armagh and Derry win then whoever has the worst PD between Wicklow (+9), Donegal (+1) and Armagh (-21) finishes in the bottom two.

Donegal can also still finish in the top two and contest a 2B final, but that would require a win in their game, Mayo to beat Down and Wicklow failing to beat Derry. If Wicklow were to win in comes down to PD.

Down v Mayo, 2.30pm @ Ballycran

Mayo are already guaranteed a top two spot with a game to spare, and Down will join them with at least a point. If they fail to win then Wicklow and Donegal would be ready to pounce as explained above.

Wicklow v Derry, 2.30pm @ Aughrim

Derry are consigned to the bottom two while Wicklow will be hoping to keep the pressure on Down in the race for second.

DIVISION 3A

As it stands:
1. Warwickshire (7 pts)
2. Roscommon (5 pts)
3. Louth (5 pts)
4. Tyrone (4 pts)
5. Monaghan (3 pts)
6. Longford (0 pts)

What's at stake:
The top two contest a final with the winners promoted to 2B, while Longford are confirmed to finish bottom and will be relegated to 3B.

Roscommon v Warwickshire, 1pm @ Dr Hyde Park

There's a huge amount of potential scenarios in this one, but Warwickshire know for sure that avoiding defeat will see them finish in the top two. If Roscommon win the two sides will meet again in the final, but only if Louth fail to win at Monaghan. If Louth pick up the two points then it comes down to points difference (currently Warwickshire +12, Roscommon +28, Louth -7)

Monaghan v Louth, 1pm @ Castleblayney

Louth will reach the final with a win and a Roscommon loss, while a Rossies win would result in the points difference scenario. Monaghan still have a minuscule chance of a final place, but they would need a win here, losses for Roscommon and Tyrone, and then hope the PD is in their favour.

Longford v Tyrone, 1pm @ Pearse Park

Most likely only a win will do for Tyrone in their quest for a final place. If they get the two points needed they still need Roscommon and Louth to both lose.

DIVISION 3B

As it stands:
1. Lancashire (8 pts)
2. Leitrim (4 pts)
3. Sligo (2 pts)
4. Cavan (2 pts)
5. Fermanagh (0 pts)

What's at stake:
The top two teams contest the 3B final with the winners promoted to 3A.

Fermanagh v Sligo, 2.30pm @ Brewster Park

Sligo need a win here, hope Cavan see off Leitrim, and then have the best points difference of the three sides. Fermanagh are guaranteed to spend another year in 3B.

Leitrim v Cavan, 2.30pm @ Ballinamore

Victory for Leitrim will guarantee their place in the final against Lancashire while Cavan need a win. If they're successful and Sligo fail to beat Fermanagh it's Lancashire v Cavan in the final. If Sligo pick up a win then it comes down to PD between Leitrim (+10), Sligo (+8) and Cavan (-29).

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