It was a dramatic day of Allianz Hurling League action as the line-up for the remaining quarter-finals was confirmed, as was the divisions of the teams for the 2020 League.
Tipperary clawed their way out of the bottom of the Division 1A table to secure a quarter-final spot while Kilkenny fell to Wexford, ending their fight to retain last year’s crown.
Meanwhile, Dublin finished as Division 1B winners while Offaly were relegated following a stunning comeback from Carlow.
Catch-up on all the day’s action in our round-up below.
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Allianz Hurling League Division 1A
Wexford 1-19 Kilkenny 1-12
Last year’s champions, Kilkenny, have failed to reach the quarter-finals of the Allianz Hurling League after falling to a seven-point loss in Innovate Wexford Park this afternoon. The result means that Wexford will face Galway in the knock-out stages next weekend.
Kilkenny were the stronger team for the majority of the first half, following Liam Blanchfield’s goal after three minutes, and led by five points at half-time. However, Brian Cody’s men could only manage two points in the second half, and Wexford, helped by Conor McDonald’s goal, stormed into the quarter-finals.
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Cork 1-16 Tipperary 1-29
1-12 from Jason Forde helped Tipperary to a stunning victory over Cork in Pairc Ui Rinn this afternoon. The win, combined with other results, means Liam Sheedy’s side move from the bottom of the Division 1A table into a quarter-final spot where they will meet Dublin.
Tipperary led by 10 points at the break but the win was sealed when Forde hit the back of Anthony Nash’s goal in the 39th minute while Cork also had Seamus Harnedy sent off with a strike on James Barry after 55 minutes. Worryingly for the Premier county, Forde limped off the pitch shortly afterwards.
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Allianz Hurling League Division 1B
Waterford 1-18 Galway 2-13
Waterford ensured they finished as runners-up in the Division 1B table as they recorded a two-point win over Galway in Walsh Park this afternoon.
A late Shane Bennett goal was the icing on the cake as Paraic Fanning’s side fought back from a 10-point deficit at half-time as the visitors could only manage two points in the second-half.
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Offaly 1-16 Carlow 2-14 – Relegation play-off
As was the story of the day, Carlow also completed a stunning second-half comeback to secure their place in the top flight of hurling for 2020. Offaly came out on top in last week’s encounter and looked to be heading down a similar route when they lead by 11 points at the break.
Yet, Carlow were not going to be burned twice as Martin Kavanagh, Seamus Murphy and Chris Nolan fired them to the win.
It completes a very disappointing campaign for Kevin Martin’s side who will now compete in Division 2 next year.
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Allianz Hurling League Division 2A
London 1-10 Mayo 0-16
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Westmeath 0-12 Kerry 0-10 – Final
Westmeath will be playing in the top flight of the Allianz Hurling League in 2020 after a two-point win over Kerry in the Division 2A final this afternoon.
#AllianzLeagues Hurling Division 2 Tables after this weekend's playoffs.
Division 2A
Promoted: Westmeath
Relegated: LondonDivision 2B
Promoted: Wicklow
Relegated: Donegal#gaa #hurling #gaaleaguetables pic.twitter.com/yPlHSQ916r— GAA League Tables (@GAALeagueTables) March 10, 2019
The Kingdom led by five points at the break but Joe Quaid’s side produced a stunning second-half comeback to seal the win with Killian Doyle and Derek McNicholas sealing the win.
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Allianz Hurling League Division 2B
Derry 0-8 Wicklow 1-9 – Final
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Allianz Hurling League Division 3A
Roscommon 0-14 Armagh 0-11 – Final
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Allianz Hurling League Division 3B
Sligo 3-10 Longford 2-15 – Final
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