Ronan Maher’s late point sends Dublin to relegation play-off

Tipperary claim last quarter-final spot on dramatic day

Tempers flare during the drawn Allianz Hurling League Division 1A clash between Clare and Galway at  Cusack Park in Ennis. Photograph:  James Crombie/Inpho
Tempers flare during the drawn Allianz Hurling League Division 1A clash between Clare and Galway at Cusack Park in Ennis. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Allianz Hurling League round-up: An injury-time point from substitute Ronan Maher saved Tipperary from a relegation play-off in Division 1A and booked their place in the Allianz League quarter-final against Cork.

It meant that Tipp – who had trailed Dublin by six points midway through the first half – completed a stirring comeback in Thurles to win by 1-19 to 0-19 and condemn Anthony Daly’s side to a relegation play-off against Waterford.

The other games in the top division saw Clare draw with Galway in Ennis on a scoreline of 0-18 to 1-15 and Kilkenny run out easy winners over Waterford in Nowlan Park, by 4-22 to 0-19.

In Division 1B, Cork beat Wexford by 2-24 to 1-20 to win promotion to Division 1A, while Limerick had their work cut out to overcome Laois, eventually running out 1-17 to 1-13 winners.

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All of which means that the quarter-final line up is as follows:

Quarter-finals (March 30th): A: Clare v Laois*; B: Wexford v Kilkenny; C: Galway v Limerick*; D: Cork v Tipperary*. *Home advantage to be decided by toss of coin.
Semi-finals (April 20th):
Clare/Laois v Tipperary/Cork; Wexford/Kilkenny v Galway/Limerick. Final: May 4th.
Relegation play-offs - Div 1A:
Dublin v Waterford, March 30th, toss for home venue; Div 1B: Antrim v Offaly, March 30th, Antrim venue.
Promoted from Division 1B:
Cork.
Division 2A – Final:
Kerry v Carlow, April 5th - winners will face losers of Division 1B play-off for place in Division 1B. Relegated: Kildare.
Division2B - Final: Down v Wicklow, April 5th. Relegation play-off: Fingal v Armagh - Losers play Division 3A winners for place Division2B.
Division 3A - Final: Roscommon v Donegal, April 5th. Relegated: Longford.
Division 3B - Final: Tyrone v Leitrim, April 5th.

Malachy Clerkin

Malachy Clerkin

Malachy Clerkin is a sports writer with The Irish Times