Cork Intermediate A and Premier Junior hurling permutations: Four-way tie a possibility

Obviously, we remember Italia 90 more fondly than USA 94 – winning a last-16 penalty shootout against Romania compared to losing 2-0 to the Netherlands will do that.

The 1990 World Cup also had the ‘first time’ bonus; if Ireland had lost in the second round then and reached the quarter-finals in 1994, there might not be a huge difference in affections.

What 1994 had was something never seen at a World Cup before or since though, something to warm the hearts of stats-nerd and idiosyncracy-lovers everywhere.

As we know, Ireland beat eventual finalists Italy at Giants Stadium, thanks to Ray Houghton’s goal and Paul McGrath’s heroic defending; that was followed by a disappointing loss to Mexico – best-remembered for John Aldridge’s rant – and a 0-0 draw with Norway, best-remembered for absolutely nothing.

The curiosity arose from the fact that the result left Ireland with one win, one draw and one loss, with Norway the same – and while that match was going on, Italy and Mexico were playing out a 1-1 draw to also finish with the same record.

Everybody had a goal difference of zero and so goals scored were used to determine the placings – Mexico the group winners while Norway were eliminated despite conceding just once.

That World Cup was the first where three points were awarded for a win, meaning that if, say, Ireland had drawn all of their matches, Italy would have topped the group with five points, Norway would have had four, Ireland three and Mexico eliminated with two.

However, in GAA, where it’s still two points for a victory, one team drawing three matches would still be level with three opponents who had won one and lost one.

Such an outcome has yet to materialise in five years of the group format in the Cork county championships but there is a chance, however remote, of it happening in Group 3 of the Co-op SuperStores IAHC, which concludes on Saturday afternoon.

Were Ballygiblin to beat Agahda, they would join the east Cork side on three points each, with both clubs having drawn already with Kildorrery. Erin’s Own (one win and one loss) are level on points with Kildorrery and so a third draw would make for a four-way tie, with scoring difference required to decide the placings.

Beyond that, Aghada know that the avoidance of defeat will be sufficient for them to progress, making the other game an effective knockout tie.

Midleton are in a strong position in Group 1 and it would take a heavy defeat to Russell Rovers for them not to qualify. Otherwise, Rovers – last year’s Premier JHC winners – are battling Bandon for the other spot, unless Mayfield beat Bandon by a sufficient margin to force a scoring-difference situation.

Group 2 qualification is decided, but the meeting between Aghabullogue and Sarsfields will decide the order in which they advance, while Blackrock and Youghal will be battling to avoid the relegation play-off.

In the Premier JHC groups, which reach their denouement on Friday, if Glen Rovers beat an already eliminated Meelin in Group 1, it will make the clash between St Finbarr’s and St Catherine’s – beaten in the last two finals – a knockout game, though with a draw suiting the Barrs.

Kilbrittain, with two Group 2 victories, can afford anything up to a seven-point loss against Nemo Rangers without qualification being affected, while Cloughduv are in the mix too and Barryroe have a slim outside chance.

It’s a similar scenario in Group 3, where Argideen Rangers run the table and are likely to be joined by one of Ballygarvan or Tracton when the dust settles.