Knockout with a difference: Clare-Tipperary clash evokes memories of the past

It’ll be a throwback to the late 1990s and early 2000s on Saturday as Clare and Tipperary battle it out – the only thing missing will be Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

In 1997, 1999 (twice), 2000 and 2001, the counties met on Leeside in a series of thunderous affairs. All were knockout affairs apart from 1997, the first Munster final of the back-door era and certainly not a game either team classed as ‘loseable’.

The last time the Premier County and the Banner met in a knockout championship match, it was the first senior inter-county match at the new Páirc, with Tipp triumphing.

While tomorrow’s game at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg won’t be the last match of the year for the losers, defeat will effectively mean an end to hopes of qualification for the All-Ireland series – and the table on Saturday evening should provide a little bit more clarity for the other counties, including Cork.

As Cork manager Pat Ryan has often pointed out, five points is the magic number in terms of the provincial hurling championship. Reaching that mark guarantees third place at worst but most likely a spot in the Munster final; four points may or may not be enough, depending on what everybody else has (in 2019, 2022 and 2024, it was sufficient for Cork to advance); while three points doesn't mathematically mean elimination, it has yet to result in qualification.

Cork suffered that fate in 2023, beating Waterford and drawing with Tipp to reach three points after two games only for narrow defeats away to Clare and then Limerick to end their hopes. The losers in Ennis will be on one point after three matches and even a last-day victory will almost certainly not be enough.

Of course, it’s a strange situation in that, while the losers are out of contention, victory will only buy the winners another ticket to try to progress: Clare would still need to go to Limerick and get something on the last day of fixtures, May 25, or Tipp would have to take something off Waterford in Thurles in their last match next weekend.

If Clare do win at home, then Tipp would only be playing for pride against Waterford. With the Déise in the hunt, a win for them could leave them ahead of Cork when they come to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh unless the Rebels avoid defeat at TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday week.

Alternatively, a win for the visitors tomorrow would eliminate Clare and effectively provide Limerick with more of a cushion ahead of their back-to-back home matches. Victory would put Tipp ahead of Waterford going into their clash and another win would put them through, having reached the five-point mark. The Déise’s fate would then depend on how Cork got on away to Limerick.

It’s just about all still to play for, but – barring a draw which would keep both alive without helping hugely – it will be four counties for three spots by tomorrow evening.