Munster hurling: Four teams still in contention for provincial final as race heats up

Only two rounds remain in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, and the race for qualification is wide open.

Cork, Limerick, and Tipperary are all level on three points. Tipperary have just one game left to play, while Cork and Limerick each have two. They face off this weekend at the TUS Gaelic Grounds for the first of those two.

Four of the five teams are still in contention for a place in the Munster final.

Cork, Limerick, and Tipperary are each one win away from securing All-Ireland qualification. At least one of those teams will be through at the end of the week – possibly even two.

However, the loser of Cork vs Limerick will have to wait another week to seal their fate, assuming there is a loser. A draw, like their league meeting earlier this year, is very much on the cards.

For the four teams in action this weekend, the goal is simple: win, and you're very likely to be playing in the Munster final.

TIPPERARY V WATERFORD 

If Tipperary win, they’re through. Five points would be enough for Tipp to make it out of Munster. It may even secure a Munster final spot for the Premier County.

If the loser of Cork vs Limerick fails to win their final game, Tipp will contest the final. It would be quite a turnaround for Liam Cahill’s side, who had just one point after their opening two matches. It shows how quickly things can swing in the Munster Championship.

That said, it’s far from guaranteed. A draw between Limerick and Cork would dent Tipp’s final hopes, and if there is a loser in that clash, it's likely they’ll bounce back with a win in their final game.

I also think Liam Cahill’s side would be quite content just to get out of Munster, given how unimpressive the last number of campaigns have been and how unlikely that seemed after the first two games this season.

A Waterford win, however, would change everything – especially if Cork also beat Limerick.

For one, it would almost certainly eliminate Clare. The best the Banner could then hope for is to draw level with Limerick on head-to-head – and only if Limerick lose both of their remaining games. Otherwise, they'd need to overhaul Cork on scoring difference, which looks increasingly unlikely. Again, that also means Cork need to lose both of their remaining games.

A draw between Tipp and Waterford would also shake things up. If Cork lose to Limerick, that result alone would be enough to guarantee Tipp a top-three finish.

LIMERICK V CORK 

This one is more straightforward. The winner is almost guaranteed a Munster final. The loser must wait until next week – and could even be eliminated depending on how results fall.

If Limerick win, Cork will need at least a draw against Waterford to ensure progression. A win over the Déise would guarantee Cork a place in the final, regardless of what happens elsewhere.

The same applies to Limerick: lose to Cork, and they can still make the Munster final by beating Clare, as long as Waterford don’t pick up more than three points from the two remaining games. 

Should Waterford get the maximum haul, Limerick would go through in third.

Lose to Clare and Cork, though, and Limerick will be out, unless Tipperary and Waterford draw and Cork beat Waterford.

This is effectively a Munster semi-final, but the loser gets a second chance. It should be a good game, though with the reduction in pressure – it will be interesting to see if that impacts Sunday’s game.