All to play for in final round of Munster SHC with Limerick, Tipp and Cork battling for final two knockout places

It is shaping up to be a memorable final day in a championship that keeps on producing with three teams battling out for the final two knockout spots.

Clare are the only side certain of their Munster Championship fate heading into the final round of games this weekend with the Banner safe in the knowledge of a final berth on June 11.

Conversely, Waterford also know that their season will come to an end this weekend regardless of the result against Tipperary in Semple Stadium. That leaves Limerick, Cork and Tipp fighting it out for two spots with each in the running for a place in the final alongside Clare.

Munster SHC Final Round Fixtures

• Limerick v Cork in the TUS Gaelic Grounds at 4pm
• Tipperary v Waterford in Semple Stadium at 2pm

Limerick

John Kiely’s men know what they need to prolong their season with anything but a win ending their championship defence in the provincial stages. If they are to beat Cork, then they will be guaranteed to progress to the All-Ireland series and potentially into the Munster final. A win would move them onto five points, with Tipp currently on four.

If Tipp also win then Limerick would finish third but were the Premier to draw, a five point Limerick win would be enough to join Clare. If Limerick win and Tipp lose then it would be a repeat of the 2022 final. If Limerick and Cork draw, and Tipp lose, it will go to scoring difference with Cork (+8), Tipperary (+5) and Limerick (+1) prior to the final round.

Cork

The permutations for the Rebels are very similar to Limerick but they hold the advantage in terms of scoring difference so a draw would be enough to progress to a preliminary All-Ireland quarters and eliminate Limerick. A win would guarantee that position with a slight chance at the provincial final if Tipp were to stutter.

Tipperary

A win for Tipp would see them into the Munster final alongside Clare regardless of the result in the TUS Gaelic Grounds. A draw would also be enough if Limerick and Cork play out a stalemate. Tipp will also know that a draw in the other game would guarantee their progression to the All-Ireland series at the least.

The only way Tipp can be eliminated is, if they lose to Waterford by +5 points and Cork and Limerick play out a draw.

It is in Tipp’s hands but with their clash with Waterford throwing in at the same time as the TUS Gaelic Grounds meeting, no team will be in the know until the final whistle.

It is shaping up to be a memorable day in a championship that keeps on producing.

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