Source: Irish Examiner
The final placings in the Leinster and Munster senior hurling championships will be decided differently if three or more teams finish on the same number of points.
The final placings in the Leinster and Munster senior hurling championships will be decided differently if three or more teams finish on the same number of points.
For the second year running, in the event multiple Leinster SHC sides are tied at the end of the competition score difference in the games involving those counties only will be the first determining factor followed by highest total score for, highest total goal for and failing that a play-off.
However, in Munster score difference across all four matches will be applicable if three or more teams conclude the round-robin on the same number of points. That is also the regulation that is in operation for the lower level hurling championship groups as well as the Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup group stages.
In 2019, Limerick, Cork and Clare all finished on four points but Limerick advanced to the Munster final and Cork to the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final as they had better score difference than The Banner.
Leinster’s regulation is the same as the one which was applied at club level following a successful Tipperary motion at Congress last year. It is understood they adopted it to avoid one-sided games potentially affecting the outcome of the championship.
Prior to the final round last year, it was erroneously suggested that Dublin had to overcome a massive score difference to qualify for the Leinster final. However, that was based on total score difference, not the criterion agreed by the Leinster Council.
Going into those last three matches, Kilkenny had a score difference of plus six, Galway’s was zero and Dublin’s was minus six meaning a four-point win over Galway would have seen them qualify. In the end, Dublin and Galway drew.
In both 2019 and ’22, three or more teams in the Leinster SHC finished on the same number of points. Five years ago, four counties accumulated five points. Kilkenny and Wexford qualified for the final and Dublin the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final ahead of Galway based on total score difference.
In ’22, Kilkenny, Dublin and Wexford each picked up six points with total score difference sending The Cats into the provincial decider and Wexford into the last six.
Both Leinster and Munster Councils agree that when two counties finish on the same number of points in their senior hurling championships, the outcome of their meeting (head-to-head) will determine who is higher in the order. If they have drawn, total scoring difference will be the deciding element.
