Hurling League final qualification permutations: Odds in Cork's favour while Tipperary have tiny chance

Tipperary’s win over Waterford in Sunday’s sole Allianz HL Division 1A game served to clarify the relegation situation and make the battle for final spots a bit more uncertain – but only ever so slightly.

The clash at Azzurri Walsh Park – re-arranged from the previous weekend due to the death of Benny Kiely, father of Waterford player Mikey – featured two counties on four points each, with Kilkenny on the same mark.

However, it was the home side’s last outing of the campaign as they have their ‘bye round’ next weekend, meaning that they had to add to their tally to have any home of avoiding joining Offaly in making an immediate return to the second tier.

Though Waterford led by eight points at half-time, the All-Ireland champions’ second-half fightback condemned the Déise to the drop as Kilkenny have head-to-head advantage on them even if the Cats lose to Tipp next Saturday night.

Had Liam Cahill’s side lost, then that derby fixture against their neighbours would have served as a relegation play-off but instead the Premier County have an outside chance of reaching the decider.

For Cork, the situation is relatively straightforward: a win or a draw at home to already-relegated Offaly will be enough to secure a second straight final appearance, while a loss would suffice if Limerick – like Cork, currently on eight points – beat Galway while Tipp fail to beat Kilkenny. 

In that event, Cork’s win at Pearse Stadium in February would give them head-to-head advantage.

If Cork lose and Galway win at TUS Gaelic Grounds, then both they and Limerick would have better scoring-difference than Ben O’Connor’s side – currently, the Treatymen are on +34 with Galway +30 and Cork +18.

In the event of an away win on Shannonside, Tipp could join Limerick and Galway eight points too, but their +4 tally at present would a huge victory required against Kilkenny.