Who’s getting set for quarter-final action?
The new system in the Allianz hurling league sees quarter-finals come into play this year. We already know five of the teams who will be in the last eight matches on Sunday week, March 30th.
Clare have booked their place from Division 1A while Cork, Limerick, Wexford and Laois are the teams that have qualified from Division 1B.
That leaves Galway, Kilkenny, Dublin, Waterford and Tipperary from Division 1A battling it out for the three remaining quarter-final places. The quarter-finals will see Top 1A v 4th 1B; 2nd 1A v 3rd 1B; 3rd1A v 2nd 1B; 4th1A v Top 1B.
The venues will be decided as follows – a county which had two home games in the group section will have home advantage. If both teams had two or three home games in 1A/1B, a draw will be made to decide on home advantage.
Galway, Dublin, Waterford, Limerick and Wexford have all had only two home games to date in the league.
So, then who’s going to emerge from Division 1A to contest the quarter-finals?
There’s a cluster of teams on four points with scoring difference likely to come in to play. Galway (+7), Kilkenny (+3), Dublin (-7) and Waterford (-7) are all on four points. Bottom of the table is Tipperary on two points with a current scoring difference of (-13).
Tipperary have to beat Dublin to have any chance of escaping from the relegation play-off (bottom two meet to decide who drops to 1B) but even if they win, they could still find themselves in the shoot-out, depending on scoring difference and other results.
However, Tipperary could still make the quarter-finals if they win and other results go their way. A Dublin win would almost certainly secure a quarter-final place for Anthony Daly’s men but if they lose they too could be in relegation trouble.
Clare will definitely top the group if they draw or win against Galway and, depending on other results, could still finish top through scoring difference even if they lose to Anthony Cunningham’s men. A draw would be enough to make sure that Galway reach the quarter-finals but they could still make it, even if they lose.
A quarter-final place will also be on the agenda when Kilkenny host Waterford in Nowlan Park. Kilkenny have a 12 points superior scoring difference, which could prove significant. The losers could be in relegation trouble.
Who’s set for the drop from Division 1B?
It’s already determined that Offaly and Antrim will be in the Division 1B relegation playoff. Offaly have only one point to their name so far, which they claimed after that late comeback last week against Limerick secured a draw. Antrim are rooted to the bottom having lost their four games to date.
The losers of that game between the Faithful and the Saffron will have one last chance then to save themselves. They will take on the winners of Division 2A to determine who will be playing in Division 1B next year.
Kerry and Carlow have already qualified for the Division 2A final, even before tomorrow’s final round of games. Kerry have a 100% record so far. They defeated Carlow by 3-14 to 0-17 in Tralee in their last round.
Leicester are really missing Rooney
While he is an intelligent footballer he just doesn’t have the pace up front and slows the game down way to much in midfield. This has been coming for two years but no one else has had the balls to do it.
Comment of the decade! United will play with pace today.
Leicester were hoping for Rooney to start. Utd have a good chance of a draw today !
If Jose had the b@lls to do it he’d have done it earlier don’t think he had a choice
Not at all Alan, although Rooney has been bad there are 10 other players in the team. Now Mourinho can’t be accused of given Rooney a chance.
His form hasn’t just dipped in the last 3 or 4 games les,it was obvious last season he was finished with a lot of United supporters saying that,but it’s only now that there’s more of them becoming more vocal about it that Jose has been forced to drop him
I agree Alan and would actually go further and say it’s been obvious for a couple of seasons now. I think Rooney’s days are numbered at United and that’s the point, he’s been given plenty of opportunities and failed, he has no excuses.
United on fire. Pogba playing a blinder. Mad!
United are on fire,I’d say United will have an add up on done deal tonight trying to sell Rooney
@Alan b: One carefull old lady owner……
Totally. Pogba running the show. To be fair to Rooney, he celebrated Pogba’s goal like he meant it.
Looks like thats the end of Rooney for awhile. Leicester going from champions to whipping boys fairly quick.
I think one other thing, apart from Rooney being a future ‘David Fairclough’, has been confirmed for certain today. Leicester are the new Blackburn, a one season wonder.
Brought back down to earth is their last two league away games alright. Gona be tough season but hopefully they can get back to winning ways against Porto.
They doing ok really right now Dave… Very good performance….
Rooney is looking up homes in the States or China as we speak…..
Yeah but he will follow the links into something else……
A far more balance side with the pace of Rashford and Lingard complementing Zlatan. Great to see Smalling (best outfield player last year) and Bailly paired together in the backs. Not to mention Herrera who is a very good player and is criminally underrated, he changed the game when he came on against Man City with Rashford.
Not far off their best 11,Mourinho has made a statement,the players need to do likewise today
How slow are the42′s goal alerts!
Yea it still says 1-0 ffs
Yeah, it was better when we only had teletext.
The scary thing is that It should be 7 or 8 nil at this stage.
Thank God Rojo not playing, absolute Jonah, but Blind not much better, no pace, could get caught today.
United played some of their best football under LVG when Shaw got injured a few years back and Blind filled in at LB, solid at the back and knows when to get forward. Good assist there and all.
Blind has been immense
Don’t rate him at centre but has played very well today.
Wow 3 nil and not hard time…..that doesn’t happen Utd too often. Would’ve been 0-0 last season.
Dave, it would have been Leicester 1-3 Man United at half-time last season and 4-3 at full time
2 seasons ago
Job done,Mourinho closer to figuring out his best 11,swap Mhikitaryan for Lingaard,he’s more creative and can influence a game more
Leicester in melt down.
Liverpool fans here in meltdown
It will be great to see some of my favourite United trolls back. I’ve missed you guys.
Emily or whatever your name is its gimps like you that have driven people away , it used to be banter in here now it’s pathetic childish rubbish that has ruined the app
Manchester United hammering Leicester and all you can think about is Liverpool bazinga, fair sad
Yeah, he has been missing for a few weeks and his first word is Liverpool.
Baz, the hypocrisy is astonishing. Why can’t you see it?
Thats not banter…. Banter is being around to take it when your also losing……
It was a tongue in cheek joke mick , up bravo you must be the new Paul Johnson.
I don’t comment here generally now because the app has been ruined
Yes, as you just demonstrated.
Emily davison calling other people trolls now thats funny
The best 45 minutes for Man Utd in a long time…. Untouchable at times, but wow, Leicester…. Hangover?? They will struggle big time. Too stretched.
Bye bye rooney.
But should be 6 or 7
Jesus it’s like men against boys
We want our title back.
This reminds me of Brazil versus Germany. Leicester’s marking is all over the shop, getting goals for players who have been struggling for form is a bonus
Bailly definitely it’s best signing,Rashford first touch very poor, he’s trying to hard, should be subbed.
United have no excuse today. To be fair to Rooney he’s not the only player who hasn’t been great this season. Rooney will have a right to be annoyed if they don’t perform without him.
Rooney must be climbing the walls, won’t get back into the team any time soon. That goal could be worst thing to happen to Wayne’s career.