The two results that will relegate Wexford to Joe McDonagh Cup and all the other hurling permutations

Wexford are fighting for their Liam MacCarthy lives.

How did it come to this? From a bright start against Galway in the first round, where they scored two goals in the first four minutes, from there, things have gone way down the glen for the Model County.

They lost that opener to Galway by six points and, in the mean-time, they’ve only picked up one win – an unconvincing one over Antrim.

Westmeath, as we all know, have beaten them in some of the most miraculous circumstances and now, this is where Darragh Egan’s team find themselves. On the brink of disaster.

So now, instead of facing Kilkenny with a place in the Leinster final on the line, or at the very least, a place in the preliminary quarter finals of the All-Ireland championship – they’re now welcoming the Cats town on a day when there’s a a real chance they’ll be relegated to the Joe McDonagh Cup.

Leinster championship permutations

Leinster Final round fixtures:

Westmeath v Antrim, TEG Cusack Park, 2.00
Dublin v Galway, Croke Park, 2.00 – RTÉ2
Wexford v Kilkenny, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 2.00

Kilkenny: Are through to Leinster final unless they lose to Wexford and Dublin beat Galway, while overturning a 37 point score difference deficit on the day. Take it from us, this will not happen!

Galway: A win or draw vs Dublin guarantees a place in Leinster final. Lose, and they’ll still qualify for preliminary quarter final.

Dublin: Are through to preliminary quarter final. As mentioned above, a win vs Galway will get them into Leinster final if Kilkenny get a result against Wexford. Otherwise, Galway go through ahead of them on score difference.

Wexford: Win or draw with Kilkenny and they survive. However, if they lose to Kilkenny and Antrim beat Westmeath, then they will be relegated to Joe McDonagh Cup.

Westmeath: Draw or win vs Antrim and they’re safe. A loss and they’ll need Wexford to lose to Kilkenny.

Antrim: A win, and a Wexford loss saves them. A draw and they’ll go down due to head to head loss with Wexford.

Munster championship permutations

Munster final round fixtures:

Tipperary v Waterford, FBD Semple Stadium, 4.00 – GAAGO
Limerick v Cork, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 4.00 – RTÉ2

Munster is a deal more straight forward than Leinster, with Clare already through to the Munster final, with the feet up and with no relegation affecting the teams.

Tipperary: Beat Waterford and they’re through to Munster final. Draw or lose and it will come down to score difference. The only way they’ll be out of the championship is if they lose to Waterford by more than five points, with Limerick and Cork drawing their game.

Limerick: If they beat Cork and Tipp lose to Waterford, then they’re through to Munster final. If they draw with Cork, they’ll need Tipp to lose to Waterford by more than five points, otherwise they’ll be out.

Cork: Beat Limerick and they’ll be through to the final IF Tipp lose or draw with Waterford. Draw with Limerick and they’ll be through to Munster final if Tipp lose to Waterford.

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10