Some still jostling for places

NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE: Only two of the six play-off places remain undecided ahead of the concluding round in Division One of the Allianz Hurling League this Sunday.

League quarter-finals were reintroduced in hurling this year, with the winners of Divisions 1A and 1B qualifying automatically for the semi-finals, and the second and third placed teams in both groups qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Assuming Kilkenny beat Dublin and Galway beat Meath, the final qualification spot from Division 1A will go to the winners of the Clare-Waterford game at Cusack Park (Throw-in 3.30 p.m., live on TG4).

Though Kilkenny and Galway are both on six points, Kilkenny are likely to get the top spot because of their superior scoring difference.

Even if Dublin should win, their inferior scoring difference would leave them short of qualification. Meath, with no wins to date, are out of contention no matter what happens.

In Division 1B, Cork are already through on the back of their four-game unbeaten run. Their high-scoring difference is also almost certain to give them the top spot and a direct route into the semi-finals.

Limerick too are assured of a quarter-final place unless disaster strikes in their final game against Derry. That leaves the remaining place open to either Tipperary or Wexford - currently on four points apiece.

The All-Ireland champions face the bigger obstacle since they must travel to Páirc Uí Chaoimh to meet Cork - although they have a far better scoring difference than Wexford, who play Offaly in Birr.

Offaly too can move up to four points if they win, but will miss out on qualification either way because of their negative scoring difference.

The two quarter-finals will be played on April 14th (the same day as the football semi-finals), the semi-finals are set for April 21st, and then the final on May 5th.

On current form, Wexford appear to be in the slightly better position for qualification. "Well it's clear now in that if Cork beat Tipp and we beat Offaly, then we make it to the quarter-finals," says Wexford manager Tony Dempsey.

"And right now I would be very eager to get that extra game, because there is still no better test ahead of the championship than a hard league game. And, of course, I would love to win the league outright as well.

"But I've said all along that the league is an exercise in trying to counter-balance your championship preparations with the need to win games.

"And I won't be departing from that idea in that I still intend to try out one or two new players for this game on Sunday, and trying to get the best combination of players before the championship starts in June."

Despite the mixed results to date (two wins and two losses), Dempsey is largely satisfied with Wexford's league run: "I would be happy enough with the way things have gone. We have competed with the best and thrown-up one or two new players as well and that's the most important thing.

"I mean we were level with Cork with eight minutes to go, and just a point down on Limerick with two minutes to go. And we beat Tipperary well even if it was an off day for them, so we have put some very competitive games behind us."

Dempsey is not expected to confirm his starting line-up until later in the week.