It’s anticipated, if not yet confirmed, that Limerick will run-up against Cork in the quarter-final of the Allianz National Hurling League.

GOING FOR IT: Niall Moran, Limerick Senior Hurling Team lines up a shot against Galway in the Gaelic Grounds on Easter Sunday.

Limerick are certainly through to the quarter-final stage, but their opponents were only to correctly confirmed at a special meeting of the Central Competitions Committee at Croke Park last night (Tuesday).  It was called together to decide what happens in Division 1A following complications over scoring difference which, seemingly, cannot be used to decide placings because of Cork’s no-show in the opening couple of rounds.

Presuming that Cork keep their second-placed position in the division, then Richie Bennis’ side will provide opposition to the Leesiders on the opening Sunday of next month.  The other quarter-final tie would involve Munster champions and title-holders Waterford and Tipperary, with All-Ireland kingpins Kilkenny and Galway straight through to the semi-finals as division one winners.

In Limerick’s Division 1B, Galway topped the pile with eight points from a possible ten and an impressive scoring difference of 51, compared with Tipperary’s 42.  Limerick, with three wins, were clear in third and a positive scoring advantage of 16.  Offaly and Laois, who Limerick ‘relegated’ last season, have been given the chop from the top-flight, which will revert to just one division of eight teams next season.

Kilkenny topped Division 1A on maximum points, followed by Cork and Waterford, both on only six points each.  Antrim and Wexford have been relegated.

“Another aspect is the match itself didn’t mean that much to Limerick; it meant more to Galway – they could qualify direct for the semi-final if they won by so much, which they did.  We were going to be in the quarter-final one way or the other.  But that’s not an excuse.”

In fairness, Limerick were without scoring machine Andrew O’Shaughnessy and skipper Mark Foley for the assignment, but both will be back-in-action on Sunday week.

One of the fringe players who again grabbed his chance for first-team duty was Limerick goalkeeper Dave Bulfin (Mungret/St Paul’s), who produced some wonderful saves, most notably a double-block from Galway’s creator-in-chief Fergal Healy.

Healy, Ger Farragher, Iarla Tannian and Kerril Wade were the downfall of Limerick, grabbing an outstanding 2-20 between them.

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