Waterford would have been praying for Limerick to beat Clare because that draw, and all the permutations it brings, leaves them in what you'd have to call a shaky position next Sunday.

Permutations

It's a shock and it's a blow for the Déise to be in a mess like this because, with the Munster championship getting turned upside down in a matter of hours on this explosive Sunday, their destiny is no longer in their own hands. They could defeat Clare next weekend but, due to the head-to-head rule, they could still be heading out of the Munster championship. Because it's as simple as this. All Cork have to do is defeat Tipperary and for them, the rest will take care of itself. Regardless of how they get on against Clare, you see, Waterford will be out of the championship. Meanwhile, after their draw in Cusack Park, Limerick and Clare are guaranteed to meet again in a fortnight's time in the Munster final. As for a winless and pointless Tipperary, they amazingly still have a chance though it's a hail Mary of a chance. Their Hail Mary lies in the chance of them beating Cork and, at the same time, Clare beating Waterford. In that instance, the third, qualifying place out of Munster would come down to score difference and, with Cork now on -7, with Waterford on -5 and with Tipperary on -19, they would still require an upheaval of sorts. Though stranger things have happened. Next Sunday should be fun.