Waterford still have much to play for

WHATEVER ABOUT the exact motivations behind Waterford’s backroom manoeuvrings it hasn’t done their hurling any harm. Sunday’s surprise victory over Galway – a first league win for manager Michael Ryan – has given them something very real to shoot for going into the final round.

All concluding games in Division One A take place this Sunday, with Waterford hosting Dublin at Fraher Field in Dungarvan. Dublin’s draw with Tipperary last Saturday evening wasn’t enough to save them from the relegation play-off, which is set for April 15th, and will decide which team drops to Division One B for the 2013 season.

But after losing to Waterford, Galway now need to beat Kilkenny in Nowlan Park to steer themselves away from the relegation play-off: if Galway lose, and Waterford beat Dublin, then it’s Galway-Dublin in the relegation play-off, regardless of their scoring difference. But if Galway win (and Tipperary lose to Cork in Semple Stadium) then Galway can still make the semi-finals.

Croke Park yesterday reiterated the exact regulations for promotion and regulation, confirming that where two teams finish equal on points, then the outcome of the meeting of these two teams in the previous game in the competition takes precedence: the head-to-head rule, in other words, and because Waterford beat Galway, then should they end up with four points each, Waterford are safe.

Only when more than two teams finish equal on points does scoring difference come into effect. If scoring difference is the same then the highest total score for comes into effect, and finally, if all that is still level, then a further play-off is ordered. Should Galway beat Kilkenny then they can relax, as Waterford and Dublin will end up playing each other again in the relegation play-off, only this time with a lot more at stake. In some ways then Galway’s fate is in their own hands, because unless they beat Kilkenny, they can’t be sure of avoiding the relegation play-off against Dublin – a game neither team would be any way confident of winning.

Waterford’s backroom manoeuvrings continued in the aftermath of Sunday’s win over Galway, with confirmation that Brother Philip Ryan was also stepping down as a selector, following the take of Nicky Cashin, who also stepped down as a selector late last week.

Ryan already replaced Cashin for Sunday’s game with a certain Ken McGrath, who was seen to call some of the shots in the win over Galway, straightaway making his presence felt on the sideline.

Ryan revealed afterwards that he had asked McGrath to join his backroom team when first appointed as manager last October, although McGrath turned him down at the time, saying his existing circumstances didn’t allow it. Those circumstances have clearly changed. Tthe Waterford County Board met last night and formally ratifyied his appointment as a selector along with Seán Cullinane from Passage East.

Galway’s hopes of beating Kilkenny and avoiding the relegation play-off haven’t been helped by the loss of first choice goalkeeper James Skehill, who will be out of action for up to four weeks with a dislocated shoulder sustained in Sunday’s loss to Waterford.

Galway manager Anthony Cunningham is obviously not looking beyond Sunday’s crunch game against Kilkenny, yet admits the chance of making the semi-finals is certainly enticing: “It will be a huge challenge at Nowlan Park,” says Cunningham.

NHL: WHAT'S LEFT TO PLAY FOR

Division One A

Kilkenny, Tipperary and Galway are all still in with a shout of securing one of the three semi-final play-off positions, although the biggest pressure is on Galway, who need to beat Kilkenny to have any chance of making it. At the other end, Dublin are already resigned to contesting the relegation play-off, and will be joined by Waterford, unless Galway lose to Kilkenny - and Waterford themselves beat Dublin on Sunday.

Division One B

With four wins from four, Clare are already guaranteed a place in the Division One B final, with the winners there automatically promoted to Division 1A - while also getting to contest the semi-finals. Offaly, Limerick and Antrim can all make the final too, if they win on Sunday, with the Limerick-Antrim result possibly proving pivotal. What is also certain is Laois will face Wexford in the relegation play-off, with the losers down going down to Division 2A.

Division Two A

Already decided here are the final pairings of Carlow against Westmeath in the divisional final, while Down are already resigned to the relegation play-off, where they will face either Derry or Wicklow.

Division Two B

Kildare's unbeaten run has guaranteed them the top spot and a place in the final, but Meath, London, or Armagh can all still join them if they win on Sunday. Likewise, London, Armagh or Mayo could still be steered into the relegation play-off, where they will meet Roscommon, who have lost all four games.