By Mark Jones
DUBLIN — The picture in the National Hurling League became clearer Sunday with Cork and Kilkenny qualifying by right for the semifinals. The counties’ opponents in the last four won’t be decided until after this Sunday’s quarterfinals, which are both scheduled for Thurles.
Clare take on Munster rivals Limerick in the first game of what is bound to be an attractive double bill, while Tipperary, who won their place in the playoffs thanks to a late win over Cork, are up against Galway.
Tipperary 1-17, Cork 1-14
Tipp’s victory in Div. 1B at Pairc Ui Chaoimh failed to prevent Cork from booking an automatic place in the semifinals ahead of Limerick on points difference, and equally, it failed to bring a smile to manager Nicky English’s face. Despite the All-Ireland champions’ display of competitive instinct, which overturned a 5-point Cork lead in the second half, English remains wary of too many games in too short a time ahead of the championship.
“I don’t think we need a quarterfinal stage in the league,” he said. “There’s a lot of punishment being shipped in these matches, with teams trying to position themselves for the championship. But we still like to win here.”
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Even though Tipp started brightly, it was Cork who made a surge after the changeover, with Joe Deane’s goal transforming a 3-point deficit and as the home side kept up a brisk tempo, their lead ballooned to 5 points.
However, following the arrival of Eugene O’Neill in place of an out-of-sorts John Carroll, Tipperary dramatically regained the initiative by outscoring their opponents by 1-6 to 0 in the final 11 minutes. O’Neill proved to be the key piece in English’s jigsaw as he hit 1-2 in a one-sided finish.
Offaly 2-17, Wexford 2-16
Wexford’s chances of making the playoffs were blown away by Offaly in Birr. Wexford needed to win and for Cork to defeat Tipp to reach the quarterfinals, but it was inconsistent Offaly who came through in a match played at championship pace.
That patchy form earlier in the competition now means that Offaly have to meet Meath in a relegation playoff. But on the basis of this impressive display, they must be favorites to stay in the top flight for another season.
The winners had goals by Rory Hanniffy and Brendan Murphy, while Johnny Dooley hit 0-7 including four frees and two 65s. They were already sure winners when Barry Lambert goaled directly from a free for Wexford in the closing seconds.
Limerick 3-21, Derry 2-9
It was all sweetness and light in the Limerick camp following the turmoil over manager Eamonn Cregan’s resignation and subsequent reinstatement as Derry were comprehensively beaten at Lavey, a result that earned Limerick a quarterfinal tie against Clare, and Derry a relegation playoff with Dublin.
The contest was effectively over as Limerick built up a halftime lead of 2-12 to 1-4 — top scorer Mark Keane eventually finished with an impressive 2-8 — even though Derry improved considerably after the break.
Kilkenny 3-18, Dublin 0-8
As good as through to the semifinals before the game, an understrength Kilkenny side simply toyed with Dublin at Nowlan Park, where they ran out facile winners in Division 1A. With every score coming from play, this was effectively a training session with the visitors as crash test dummies.
In the end, Dublin’s performance left manager Kevin Fennelly fuming.
“I’m at training three or four nights a week trying to promote hurling, and if that’s a reflection on me, what am I doing? This is just a disaster. I can offer no excuse. It’s the worst I’ve seen,” he said.
Henry Shefflin hit two goals, while Eddie Brennan contributed 7 points and Kilkenny didn’t have to anywhere near their best to cruise to victory and to the last four of the competition.
Clare 0-16, Waterford 0-15
Claire booked their place in the quarterfinals against Limerick thanks to a narrow win over Waterford at Cusack Park. However, Waterford will consider themselves unlucky not to have qualified, given that Clare goalkeeper, Davy Fitzgerald, made three outstanding saves.
“An average keeper wouldn’t have got to those,” mused Waterford manager Justin McCarthy afterward, “but Davy’s the best in the business.”
The losers paid the price for a disappointing opening half, at the end of which they trailed by 0-11 to 0-6. But with Tony Browne and Paul Flynn failing to fire, it was left to Ken McGrath to take the fight to Clare after the changeover.
McGrath’s scores soon brought the game level, and as Clare wavered for several minutes, two quick points by Jamesie O’Connor and sub Ollie Baker soon got the winners back on track.
Galway 3-18, Meath 2-11
Galway needed to win by a massive margin to make the semifinals ahead of Kilkenny, so it was no surprise when their unconvincing verdict over Meath at Athenry was only enough for a quarterfinal place.
Other games
Antrim secured a Div. 2 semifinal place following their 1-17 to 0-18 success against Kildare at Clane, and the Ulster county will be joined in the last four by Laois, who defeated Carlow by 2-23 to 2-10. Down meet Wicklow and Kerry take on Kildare in the two quarterfinals.