How it stands | Junior A reaches final round with just three knockout places confirmed

The fifth and final round of the Junior A Hurling Championship takes place this weekend.

As the group stages of the JAHC come to a close this weekend, we take a look at the permutations for the final round of games.

Only three sides out of a possible eight have already qualified for the quarter-finals heading into the last round in the form of Killeedy, St Kierans and Patrickswell, while Blackrock and Garryspillane are the only sides assured of a relegation semi-final spot.

Permutations

Group 1

Crecora Manister – A win against second placed Templegantine leaves the side top of the group and gives them a quarter-final place, as does a draw. A loss puts the side in second place but potentially level with Dromcollogher Broadford where it would come down to scoring difference following their draw in round two.

Templeglantine – The side will win the group and qualify for the quarters if they beat Crecora Manister. A draw will keep them second but Drom Broadford could go level if they win their game, or they could leapfrog the side if they win and Templeglantine lose.

Drom. Broadford – Must win their game against Staker Wallace to qualify and will do so if Templeglantine lose. A win also puts them level if Templeglantine draw where they hold the head to head advantage.

Staker Wallace – Unable to qualify for a knockout place. A win may put them third on points difference while a loss/draw and a Ballybricken Bohermore win will put them fifth.

Ballybricken Bohermore – Unable to qualify for a knockout place. A win may also put them third on points difference while a loss/draw and a Staker Wallace win will keep them fifth.

Blackrock – The side will finish bottom regardless of their result and puts them in a relegation semi-final place.

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Group 2

Killeedy – A win against Castletown Ballyagran would be enough to win the group, as does a draw. Are certain of their spot in the last eight by virtue of their head to head record against Claughaun.

Castletown Ballyagran – The side win the group if they beat Killeedy. A draw may keep them second, but potentially level with Claughaun if they win their game. A loss could see the side drop to third and out of a qualification spot but their huge scoring difference is a huge bonus.

Claughaun – A win puts them in second and gives them a quarter-final place if Killeedy win their game, while a draw would put them level with Castletown Ballyagran.

Monagea – A Monagea and Killeedy win will put the side level with second placed Castletown Ballyagran. They would also need a Claughaun draw which would bring it to score difference where Castletown Ballyagran have a massive advantage.

St. Patrick’s – Unable to qualify for a knockout place. A draw maintains their safety while a loss would relegate them with Ahane holding the H2H.

Ahane – Its win or bust for Ahane who face St Pats. Should they win they will be safe but anything else and they will be in the relegation semi-final.

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Group 3

St. Kieran’s – Already qualified for the quarter finals and guaranteed top spot.

Feenagh Kilmeedy – A win against Doon would seal their progression to the quarter-finals alongside St Kierans. A draw would also be enough where a loss would drop them to third.

Doon – A win against Feenagh Kilmeedy gives them a quarter-final spot, if they can maintain their scoring difference advantage over Mungret St Pauls, should they win. Anything else and their season will finish.

Mungret St Pauls – Need a win and a Doon victory to have any chance. That would put them level on seven points with the East side where it will go to scoring difference as they played out a draw in round four. They currently trail in that regard, -5 against +24.

Askeaton – A win or a draw will keep them safe. A loss would put them into a relegation semi-final.

Ballybrown – As they trail this weekend’s opponents Askeaton in the scoring stakes, they need a win to avoid a relegation semi-final.

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Group 4

Patrickswell – Guaranteed to top the group regardless of this weekend’s results.

Tournafulla – A win/draw against Kilteely Dromkeen will earn them a quarter final spot. A loss and an Old Christians win will put them level on points with their opponents and Christians where it will come down to scoring difference.

Old Christians – A win and a Tournafulla loss will leave three sides level in second, which will be determined by point difference. Any other result and they will miss out.

Kilteely Dromkeen – A win could put them in three sides that would be level in second. Any other result and their season will be over.

Rathkeale – Unable to qualify for knockout places but safe as a result of their victory over Garryspillane.

Garryspillane – Into the relegation semi-final by virtue of that walkover result against Rathkeale.