The Senior Hurling Championship remains closer than ever. We take a closer look at how it may unfold and differing scenarios for each result here.

Kilkenny are the only team already guaranteed a place in the All-Ireland series thanks to Leinster GAA’s regulation that the head-to-head ‘League Points’ record would separate three or more teams that finish on the same number of points

If Kilkenny were to lose to Wexford and Galway and Dublin draw, that would leave Kilkenny, Wexford, and Galway level on six points each.

Because Kilkenny beat Dublin and previously drew with Galway, if Dublin and Galway draw this weekend then Kilkenny would have three points, Galway would have two, and Dublin would have one in this ‘mini-league’ of three and so would finish fourth in Leinster and be eliminated.

Kilkenny will qualify for the Leinster Final if they draw or win against Wexford. Wexford will qualify for the final if they beat Kilkenny, but a draw would also be sufficient if Galway and Dublin also draw their game

That would leave Wexford, Galway, and Dublin level on six points, but Wexford would have the superior head-to-head ‘League Points’ from the matches between those three teams.

Wexford previously beat Galway and drew with Dublin so would have three points, Dublin would have two points from drawing with Wexford and Galway, and Galway would have just a single point from drawing with Dublin.

So, in that scenario, Kilkenny and Wexford would contest the Leinster Final, Dublin would finish third, and Galway would be eliminated.

A win for either Galway or Dublin would secure a place in the Leinster final regardless of what happens in the Kilkenny v Wexford match.

If both Kilkenny and Galway win their respective matches, then Dublin and Wexford will be on five points each. As they drew their group match, scoring difference would decide which team finishes third.

Wexford are currently in better shape in this regard with a +9 scoring advantage over Dublin.

If Kilkenny and Wexford draw, the winner of the Dublin v Galway match would join Kilkenny in the Leinster Final and Wexford would finish third.

In the relegation shoot-out at the other end of the table a draw would suffice for Antrim to retain their Liam MacCarthy cup status, whereas only a win is good enough for Carlow.

Pos		TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	POINTS
1		Kilkenny	4	2	2	0	128	94	6
2		Wexford	4	2	1	1	123	91	5
3		Dublin	4	2	1	1	121	98	5
4		Galway	4	2	1	1	114	97	5
5		Antrim	4	1	0	3	79	143	2
6		Carlow	4	0	1	3	81	123	1

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