The Fantastic Four: We look ahead to the final round of the Allianz Hurling League

Get the calculators out

It’s the last proper round of the Allianz Hurling League and there are three football games on too so we’ve picked out the best on offer this coming weekend. ‘Cos we’re nice like that…

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A; Cork v Tipperary, Pairc Ui Rinn 2pm

The top two sides in Division 1A clash to decide who will  face the fourth-placed side from Division 1B in the q-finals next month. Cork and Tipp fans could hardly have imagined that they would be able to look forward to this last round encounter with the pressure off after both suffered opening day defeats.

The Rebels responded well to the loss to Kilkenny by hammering Dublin and grinding out wins over Clare and Galway. Tipperary for their part still have a number of players to return to their side but a 12-point win over Kilkenny last weekend should be a warning to the rest of the country.

The last time these two sides met was in the All-Ireland q-final with Cork imploding in the second half. Jimmy Barry Murphy won’t be too worried about this game but purely from a psychological point of view his side will probably be needing the win just that little bit more than Tipperary.

Both sides are lucky not to be involved in the quagmire that is the permutations from the other two games. Kilkenny know their fate; they’re in the relegation play off regardless of what they do Sunday. Galway are also through to the q-finals. Clare or Dublin however will be chewing nails on Sunday as their fate hangs in the balance.

If Dublin avoid defeat they make it through to the q-finals. If they lose then the result from Nowlan Park will determine if Ger Cunningham or Davy Fitz will have to prepare for another game seven days later.

ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1B: Wexford v Waterford, Innovate Wexford Park; Sunday (2.0):

It’s the game of the weekend and probably the game of the league. All the q-final places are sorted so all that’s left to be decided is who will gain promotion back to the top flight.

Waterford currently hold the advantage as they lead their opponents by a single point and they need only a draw to eclipse their rivals. Their previous meeting was in the All-Ireland qualifiers last summer which ended in a thrilling 3-15 to 2-15 win for the Yellowbellies.

Waterford have steadily improved over the course of the league and Derek McGrath’s decision to go with youth has paid off – especially last weekend with 4-30 to 0-10 thumping of Antrim.

Wexford have an almost identical record to their neighbours, with their only loss coming against Limerick earlier this month while Waterford were denied a win with a late Limerick point.

This game really is too hard to call, but we’re not here to get wood splinters, so we’re plumping for a Wexford win.

ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 2A:  Westmeath v Carlow, Cusack Park.

Just a single point separates four sides going into the final weekend of the third tier of the Allianz League

Carlow come into the game having missed a glorious chance at a win last week when slumping to defeat to Kerry while Westmeath gave Wicklow a trimming in Cusack Park.

Two home games to end their campaign is a huge advantage for the Lake County and having their fate in their own hands should make the task that bit simpler.

Just to note that if the game ends level then we’re into scoring difference territory as Kerry and Derry will also be on seven points if they secure victory

ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2: Roscommon v Meath, Dr. Hyde Park, 3.0.

This game was initially due to go ahead a few weeks ago but was postponed due to heavy snow in the west. The intervening period has seen Roscommon impress, with their most recent outing marked by kicking 0-24 against Kildare.

Down are the current table toppers on eight points but with Meath and Roscommon both on five points, Sunday’s victor can take a big step towards promotion and a league final.

Meath have been hugely inconsistent and haven’t scored more than 0-13 points so far this league campaign. Defensively they are still trying to adapt to a new style and that has left some players looking lost at times as to what their role in the side is.

Roscommon have the momentum after that win in Newbridge last Sunday and their greater scoring threat should see them secure a valuable two points.

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