GAA round-up
The two remaining National Hurling League play-off places were filled this afternoon after an exciting conclusion to the round-robin series.
Reigning league champions Tipperary and their Munster neighbours Clare both secured crucial victories and join Kilkenny, Cork, Galway and Limerick in the knock-out stages.
Kilkenny and Cork qualify automatically for the semi-finals by virtue of their table topping performances in Division 1A and 1B respectively.
Clare were narrow winners (0-16 to 0-15) over Waterford at Cusack Park today and meet Limerick in the quarter-finals next weekend.
Nicky English’s Tipperary conjured up a plucky away win at Pairc Ui Chaoimh to clinch the final play-off spot in Division 1B, spoiling Cork’s 100 per cent record in the process. Tipperary play Galway in the other quarter-final.
Dublin suffered a crushing 3-18 to 0-8 defeat at the hands of Division 1A champions Kilkenny and are drawn to play Division 1B basement boys Derry in the first of the relegation play-offs.
Division 1B whipping boys Meath appear destined for lower division hurling as they face a potentially grueling relegation play-off against Fr. Tom Fogarty’s Offaly.
Results
NHL Division 1A
Galway 3-18 Meath 2-11
Kilkenny 3-18 Dublin 0-8
Clare 0-16 Waterford 0-15
- Kilkenny qualify for semi-finals
- Galway and Clare qualify for quarter-finals
NHL Division 1B
Derry 2-9 Limerick 3-21
Offaly 2-17 Wexford 2-16
Cork 1-14 Tipperary 1-17
- Cork qualify for semi-finals
- Limerick and Tipperary qualify for quarter-finals
NHL Division 2A
Down 5-11 Roscommon 2-10
Kildare 0-18 Antrim 1-17
NHL Division 2B
London 2-9 Wicklow 5-22
Carlow 2-10 Laois 2-23