Hurling league too predictable

The respective National Leagues have provided contrasting entertainment over the past two months. Whereas the football is heading for an intriguing denouement, the hurling has been a disappointment with Kilkenny and Tipperary dominating their respective divisions and the composition of the phase two fixtures all too predictable after only three series of matches.

Football is also benefiting from the prospective promotion of two counties, Limerick and Wexford, which have never played in Division One since modern league structures were instituted.

Next weekend will see the conclusion of phase one of the hurling league but at this stage there is virtually nothing to play for in Division One. The top three in either section are all but decided with only a combination of unlikely results capable of stopping Galway and Offaly claiming third place in One A and One B respectively. Kilkenny, Clare and Tipperary have qualified and Cork's place is virtually certain.

Qualification for the top three is important in that it guarantees three matches against quality opposition next month as the pitches get harder and the championship approaches. As point totals are carried into the next phase, the teams topping the two sections will be favourites to meet in the final in May.

To avoid the same sides meeting in successive weeks, the phase-two match between the leaders, probably Kilkenny and Tipperary, will be played in the first week of the next phase. All positions will be determined by scoring difference and there will be no play-offs.

NHL Final series: Saturday March 29th Division One A - programme: Waterford v Clare, Dublin v Kilkenny, Laois v Galway.

Kilkenny and Clare have qualified for the next phase. The only way Galway can fail to join them is if they; a) lose to Laois by 10 points; b) lose to Laois by less than 10 points and Waterford beat Clare by at least 11 points; c) lose to Laois by less than 10 points and Dublin beat Kilkenny by at least 21 points.

Division One B: programme - Tipperary v Cork, Wexford v Offaly, Limerick v Derry.

Tipperary have qualified. Cork will join them unless Wexford beat Offaly by at least 12 points and they lose to Tipperary by over 30 points. That Wexford-Offaly match will decide the third place and the only way Wexford can overtake the midlanders is by winning by 12 points.

NFL Division One A: final series - weekend of April 5th and 6th Programme: Kerry v Armagh, Donegal v Roscommon, Dublin v Galway, Tyrone v Cork.

This is a fascinating section with only one issue decided going into the ultimate series. Donegal are relegated and have one match at home, to Roscommon, to prevent a whitewash. Otherwise everything is up for grabs.

Three counties, Cork, Armagh and Tyrone, are on eight points. Whoever wins between Cork and Tyrone will progress and if the sides draw they could both advance. Long-time pacesetters Armagh will travel to Kerry to re-enact the All-Ireland final.

A win for the champions would guarantee their progress. Kerry need the points to be sure of avoiding relegation but the most obvious candidates - accepting Roscommon will be hot favourites to take the points in Donegal - are Dublin and Galway who meet at Parnell Park. If Dublin lose, they will go down; if they win Galway or Kerry will drop instead. Should they draw and Kerry lose, the All-Ireland finalists will be relegated.

Division One B: programme - Cavan v Sligo, Laois v Kildare, Mayo v Fermanagh, Down v Meath.

Although Laois and Cavan have the whip hand they are facing counties fighting relegation, Kildare and Sligo. Fermanagh are the only county that can catch either of the top two. Relegation is between Sligo, Kildare and Down. If the bottom two lose they will go down but if Sligo lose and either or both of the others win, the Connacht side will drop - with Kildare in the latter scenario.

Division Two A: programme - Limerick v Wicklow, Antrim v Leitrim, Offaly v London, Westmeath v Louth.

Having led for the campaign Westmeath would need a heavy defeat by Louth if they are to be deprived of promotion. Louth could overtake Limerick for the second place if they beat the leaders by four points more than the latter's winning margin against Wicklow. On form, however Limerick are well placed, given that Wicklow have beaten only London so far.

Division Two B: programme - Wexford v Carlow, Longford v Derry, Clare v Waterford, Monaghan v Tipperary.

Wexford lost promotion on the final day of last season when losing to Carlow. They'll have the same opportunity this year. Although lying third (on scoring difference), Wexford have the advantage in that the two sides above them, Longford and Derry, must play each other. Given Derry are unbeaten they will be favourites to beat Longford but Wexford will - short of a massive beating for Longford - have to take something from their match.