Six spots are up to be filled for the Munster and Leinster finals and the quarterfinal stage of the All Ireland hurling championship as the counties play the last group games, aka Round 5, in the provinces. The top two in the groups go into the finals, while the third-placed teams quality for the quarterfinals.
Cork, who are in pole position in Munster , host Clare on Sunday at 4 p.m. The Banner are guaranteed a place in the quarter finals, but it seems the Munster final will be beyond them this year, with Limerick, who meet the already eliminated All Ireland champions Tipperary, looking good for a final date with Cork.
All sorts of permutations are possible in Leinster, but Kilkenny will be hoping to come good against group leaders Dublin at Parnell Park on Sunday at 2 p.m. Galway, in 2nd place, will travel to play the already eliminated Wexford. And 4th-place Offaly close behind will take on the already regulated Kildare. So the Cats really need something on Sunday to avoid being edged out of the rest of the season’s action.
The Leinster final will be held on Saturday, June 6, at Croke Park, while the Munster final will take place on Sunday, June 7 at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
On the weekend of June 20/21, the Leinster runners-up will meet the 3rd-place Munster team in one quarterfinal, while in the other the Munster runners-up will meet the 3rd-placed Leinster team. The two quarterfinal winners will advance to meet the two winners of the provincial finals over the weekend of July 4/5.
