A league game with summer implications
CORK v TIPPERARY
Pairc Ui Rinn, Cork
Sunday 3rd March
Throw-in @ 2.00pm
Referee: Sean Cleere (Kilkenny)
Tipperary’s quest to reach a National Hurling League quarter final is out of their hands as they head to Cork for their final group game this Sunday.
Even if Liam Sheedy’s men were to record a win at Pairc Ui Rinn, they would need help if they are to progress to the last eight and avoid being involved in a meaningless playoff on March 10th with whoever else fails to make the quarter finals from division 1A, as the game is needed determine seeding for next years restructured league, despite there being no relegation.
However, if Tipperary were to win, it wouldn’t take much for them to make a quarter final as if they finished on four points, it’s highly likely the remaining teams to join Limerick (already in the quarter finals) would be determined on score difference with Tipp’s in a good shape if they get a positive result.
However, the one helping hand they would need is from Limerick to beat Clare in Ennis, due to the Banners poor score difference brought about mainly from their five point loss in round one to Tipperary. A loss for Clare, coupled with Wexford v Kilkenny not ending in a draw would be enough for Tipp to progress, not an unrealistic set of possible results.
However, the only aspect that Tipperary can control is winning their own game and manager Liam Sheedy wasn’t putting too much on the outcome of next Sunday’s game in terms of shaping their season on a while.
“If there was a year to be out of it, it mightn’t be the end of the world,” he said.
“We’ll go and play Cork next weekend and learn a bit more about ourselves and the squad.
“Whether we end up in the knockout stages or not, the league from a management perspective has been hugely beneficial.”
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