The final round of fixtures in the St Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny Senior Hurling League takes place this weekend with positions yet to be confirmed in both groups.
There is a town derby to begin proceedings on Saturday at 3pm in UPMC Nowlan Park as Dicksboro take on James Stephens live on KCLR.
The remaining five games will take place on Sunday at 3.30pm, with Ballyhale Shamrocks’ meeting with Tullaroan in Callan also live on KCLR.
Elsewhere, Clara face Lisdowney, Erin’s Own go head-to-head with Mullinavat, Graigue Ballycallan go up against Bennettsbridge and O’Loughlin Gaels face Glenmore.
Here, we take a look at what could potentially be a thrilling end to an entertaining league campaign.
Structure
Firstly, we will take a look at what each position means for the sides involved.
If two teams finish on the same number of points, their head-to-head record against each other will decide who finishes in the higher position.
If three or more teams have the same amount of points following the completion of this round of fixtures, scoring difference will be the deciding factor.
The two teams that finish top of their group will face each other in the league final, while the runners-up will compete in the shield decider.
All four teams will also book their place in the championship quarter-final by finishing in the top two of their groups.
The third and fourth place sides progress to the first round of the championship, while the bottom two in each group will face off in a relegation semi-final that will also act as a first round championship clash.
So, here is how things will look following the end of the league:
League final – 1st vs 1st
Shield final – 2nd vs 2nd
First round of championship – 3rd vs 4th
Relegation semi-final/first round of championship – 5th vs 6th
Group A
Here is how Group A looks heading into the weekend.
| # | Team | P | W | L | D | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shamrocks Ballyhale | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 100 | 84 | 6 |
| 2 | Tullaroan | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 94 | 78 | 5 |
| 3 | Clara | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 97 | 92 | 5 |
| 4 | Mullinavat | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 75 | 89 | 4 |
| 5 | Erins Own | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 73 | 86 | 2 |
| 6 | Lisdowney | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 74 | 84 | 2 |
Ballyhale Shamrocks will guarantee top spot with a victory, while if Tullaroan and Clara both claim victories their final positions will be dictated by scoring difference due to their draw earlier this season.
If Mullinavat avoid defeat to Erin’s Own, they will shrug off the threat of relegation for another year, while Lisdowney must defeat Clara and hope Erin’s Own get the better of Mullinavat to have any chance of finishing outside the bottom two.
Group B
Here is how Group B looks ahead of the weekend.
| # | Team | P | W | L | D | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bennettsbridge | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 95 | 68 | 8 |
| 2 | Dicksboro | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 107 | 72 | 6 |
| 3 | O`Loughlin Gaels | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 86 | 87 | 4 |
| 4 | Glenmore | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 89 | 100 | 4 |
| 5 | James Stephens | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 79 | 90 | 2 |
| 6 | Graigue Ballycallan | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 72 | 111 | 0 |
Bennettsbridge are guaranteed to finish in first regardless of their result against Graigue Ballycallan as their first round defeat of Dicksboro means they cannot finish above them even if Willie Maher’s side lose and the town club claim a fourth consecutive victory.
Likewise, Dicksboro are confirmed to finish in second as they have a better head-to-head record against both Glenmore and O’Loughlin Gaels.
James Stephens and Graigue Ballycallan are also stuck in a relegation fight as they cannot move up the table irrespective of their results this weekend.
St Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny Senior Hurling League Round 5 fixtures (All games have a throw-in time of 3.30pm on Sunday unless otherwise stated):
Group A:
Ballyhale Shamrocks vs Tullaroan – Callan
Clara vs Lisdowney – Jenkinstown
Erin’s Own vs Mullinavat – Gowran
Group B:
James Stephens vs Dicksboro – 3pm, Saturday, UPMC Nowlan Park
Bennettsbridge vs Graigue Ballycallan – Dunnamaggin
Glenmore vs O’Loughlin Gaels – Thomastown
