Though its many of its best games have been paywalled, the Munster and Leinster Hurling round robins have not disappointed. Heading into the final two rounds, each of the 11 teams chasing Liam MacCarthy are still in with a shot of reaching the knockout phase of the competition.
There's huge drama to come, especially in Munster with next Sunday's Super Sunday likely to provide some clarity on which counties will be playing in June.
In Leinster, trying to pick a final three is anyone's guess. Even old reliable Kilkenny suffered a wobble on Saturday evening in Carlow.
We've gone through the permutations for both the Munster and Leinster hurling championships. While this weekend's action will clarify a lot it does seem likely that tiebreakers will be used in one of the two provinces this year,.
It's worth noting that the provinces use different systems when more than two counties are on the same number of points, and at the bottom of the post, we've explained how the tiebreaker system works.
Munster Hurling Championship: as it stands after Round 3
1st: Limerick (4 points)
Games remaining: Waterford (h)
For the All-Ireland champions, the path to the Munster final seems straightforward-beat Waterford. But, as we know, in sports, nothing is certain. There is a disaster scenario for Limerick following Saturday's defeat: if they falter against Waterford, and Cork triumph over Tipperary, and if Clare secures victories in their two remaining games, the champions will be unceremoniously knocked out. Unlikely, but not impossible.
GOAL! Séamus Flanagan hat-trick hero for @LimerickCLG #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/1hjVK1sVMW
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 11, 2024
2. Waterford (3 points)
Games remaining: Clare (a), Limerick (a)
Davy Fitz’s side needs a point in their final two games to secure advancing out of the group stages for the first time. The problem is they are playing Clare and Limerick away. If they fail to do that, they need Cork to lose to Tipp and the Premier men losing their final game against Clare to secure third spot.
3. Clare (2 points)
Games remaining: Waterford (h), Tipperary (a)
Clare’s path out of Munster is quite simple: win their final two games, and they will again be in a Munster final. However, if they lose to Waterford and beat Tipp, they will finish in third place. The real complication will come next Sunday if Cork beat Tipp and Clare and Waterford draw. That would leave Cork, Clare and Waterford all on 4 points. Score difference would then come into play to determine who finishes where with the possibility of elimination.
4. Cork (2 points)
Games remaining: Tipp (a)
For Pat Ryan’s side, it's simple: They need to beat Tipp and hope Waterford loses their final two games so they can advance to the third spot.
GOAL AGAIN! @OfficialCorkGAA have their second goal of the first half #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/ktBNBMkV60
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 11, 2024
5. Tipperary (1 points)
Games remaining: Cork (h), Tipp (h)
With a minus fifteen points difference, Tipp's hammering by Limerick could come back to bite them as if they beat Cork and lose to Clare. It will come down to the score difference between them and Waterford to see who goes through. A more straightforward solution would be to beat the Rebels and Clare. In that case, a place in the Munster final is feasible. Two games at Semple Stadium will stand to them.
SEE ALSO: O'Dwyer Praises Patrick Horgan's Quick Thinking In Converting Decisive Cork Penalty
Leinster Hurling championship: as it stands
1st: Dublin (5 points)
Games remaining: Kilkenny (h), Galway (a)
As things stand, Dublin is currently top of the table. However, the problem is they have to play Kilkenny and Galway in their final two games. They should have enough to book the third spot thanks to a superior score difference and a comprehensive victory over Antrim.
2nd: Kilkenny (4 points)
Games remaining: Dublin (a), Wexford (h)
The draw to Carlow yesterday could put the Cats in a predicament, with Dublin away and a home tie against Wexford, which, depending on how the Dubs results go, could be a shoot-out to determine who gets out of the group.
3rd: Wexford (3 points)
Games remaining: Carlow (h), Kilkenny (a)
Saturday’s Kilkenny-Carlow draw has helped Wexford big time. The plan is pretty simple: If they win their last two games against Carlow and Kilkenny, they will leave Leinster. If other results go their way, a final could be on the cards.
4th: Galway (3 points)
Games remaining: Antrim (a), Dublin (h)
Henry Shefflin's side needs to beat Antrim and Dublin first. It could all come down to the Dubs clash to see who will get out of the group, as score difference could be a factor. Currently trailing Dublin by 22 points on scoring difference, Galway will need a big win on Belfast on Saturday.
5th: Antrim (2 points)
Games remaining: Galway (h), Carlow (a)
After Saturday's big defeat in Dublin, Antrim’s main objective is to survive and beating Carlow will secure that
6th: Carlow (1 point)
Games remaining: Wexford (a), Antrim (h)
A draw against Kilkenny will give Carlow great hope. If they can beat Wexford at home and take a scalp up in Antrim, a third spot is possible. However, I say they will take a win up in Corrigan Park to maintain Leinster hurling for 2025
GOAL! Conor Kehoe with a massive moment for @Carlow_GAA #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/omEQ1U4jX2
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 11, 2024
Munster Hurling Championship tiebreakers
In the event of teams finishing on equal points in the group, the tie shall be decided by the following means and in the order specified below:
(i) Where two teams only are involved – the outcome of the meeting of the two teams in the group
(ii) Score difference – subtracting the total Scores against from the total Scores for
(iii) Highest Total Score For
(iv) Highest Total Goals For
(v) A Play-Off.
Leinster round robin tiebreakers
(i) Where two Teams only are involved – the outcome of the meeting of the two Teams in the previous game in the competition.
(ii) Score Difference from the games in which only the teams involved, (teams tied on points), have played each other. (Subtracting the total Scores Against from total Scores For)
(iii) Highest Total Score For, in which only the teams involved, have played each other, and have finished equal in (ii)
(iv) Highest Total Goals For, in which only the teams involved, have played each other, and have finished equal in (ii)
(v) A Play-Off
