This is because different score different rules apply in the two provinces, with Leinster’s variation ensuring that Kilkenny cannot be squeezed out of a top-three place even if they finish behind Wexford and in a three-way tie with Galway and Dublin.
This scenario will unfold if Wexford win in UPMC Nowlan Park while Galway and Dublin are deadlocked in Pearse Stadium. This would see Wexford top the group on seven points, with the Cats, Tribesmen and Sky Blues all level on six points.
If that transpires, under Leinster Council regulations, only results between the various deadlocked counties will be used to determine score difference. And since Kilkenny have just beaten Dublin by two points while previously drawing with Galway, another Galway/Dublin stalemate would give Derek Lyng’s team a score difference of +2, Galway 0 and Dublin -2, thereby eliminating Micheál Donoghue’s men.
Leinster GAA has reportedly adopted this regulation to avoid a scenario where lopsided results affect the championship outcome. There have been some hammerings this year involving Antrim and Carlow; on the flip side, Antrim have stunned Wexford while Carlow have secured a shock draw with Kilkenny.
Supporter confusion over these regulations is liable to be compounded by the fact that, in Munster, score difference across all four matches will be counted where three or more teams finish level on points.
Today’s Sport News in 90 Seconds – 20th May
As matters stand, Kilkenny will definitely advance to another Leinster final in pursuit of a provincial five-in-a-row if they either draw with or beat Wexford this Sunday. They currently top the group with six points, ahead of Wexford, Dublin and Galway on five.
Whoever wins the Salthill showdown of Galway and Dublin will reach the Leinster final. A Galway defeat would spell disaster for Henry Shefflin, even if Wexford also falter, as the Tribesmen would lose out to the latter under the head-to-head rule.
And in the event that both heavyweight clashes finish in stalemate, Kilkenny will top the group while Galway would be the scoring difference fall-guys, losing out to Wexford and Dublin because of their eight-point loss to Wexford earlier this month.
At the fraught end of the Leinster table, Antrim just need to avoid home defeat against Carlow to preserve their tier-one status and relegate their opponents.
Meanwhile, multiple scenarios can still play out in Munster after another weekend of drama in the southern province.
Even five-in-a-row chasing Limerick, currently top of the Munster group on scoring difference, could be eliminated were they to lose at home to Waterford while Clare avoid defeat in Tipperary.
The odds still favour John Kiely’s history-chasers, who had the afternoon off on a day when the big losers in Munster were Tipp and Waterford.
Liam Cahill’s troubled Premier cannot qualify after their second-half collapse to an 18-point defeat at home to Cork, while Waterford slipped to fourth in the table after losing to a last-gasp Mark Rodgers point for Clare.
Davy Fitzgerald’s men can still qualify for the Munster final by beating Limerick, whereas defeat would end their summer. Were Waterford to draw while Clare overcome a Tipp team with only pride to play for, then Cork would be eliminated, losing out to the Déise under the head-to-head rule.
In the unlikely event of a Tipp victory coupled with a Waterford draw or win, Clare could be squeezed out on scoring difference, as one of three teams tied on four points.
Sunday, May 26
Leinster SHC round 5 (2pm): Kilkenny v Wexford, UPMC Nowlan Park; Galway v Dublin, Pearse Stadium; Antrim v Carlow, Corrigan Park.
Munster SHC round 5 (4pm): Limerick v Waterford, TUS Gaelic Grounds; Tipperary v Clare, FBD Semple Stadium.
