It’s all to play for this weekend in the Allianz Hurling League with the final round of group matches in Division 1A taking place.

It’s worth knowing that where two teams finish the group phase level on points, the team that won the head-to-head match is ranked ahead.

If that match was a draw, then points difference is used to rank the two teams. Where three or more teams are level on points, points difference is use to rank them.

Tipperary are already assured of top-spot in Division 1A and a quarter-final berth regardless of how their match against Cork on Sunday goes, but the other three Division 1A Quarter-Final places are still up for grabs.

Clare, Cork, and Waterford currently complete the top four. They all have four points each, and are separated by scoring difference. Clare’s scoring difference is +1, Cork’s is 0, and Waterford’s is -8.

That means Sunday’s game between Clare and Waterford is a straight shoot-out with the winner guaranteed a quarter-final berth. A draw might also be enough for both teams depending on how other results go.

Cork are at home to Tipperary and will qualify for the quarter-finals with a win.

They’ll hope the fact that the Premier County are already guaranteed top-spot will mean they will field a more experimental than usual selection.

But with both counties also due to play another in the Munster Quarter-Final, it’s unlikely Tipperary will want to hand any psychological advantage to their rivals.

Sunday’s remaining Division 1A match is another crunch-encounter as Kilkenny on three points travel to play a Dublin team on two points.

Even though both teams currently occupy the relegation play-off spots, a win for either could be enough to secure a quarter-final berth depending on how other results go, though Dublin’s scoring difference of -15 puts them at a disadvantage.

The bottom two teams in Division 1A after Sunday’s matches will go head to head in a relegation play-off to determine which team drops down to Division 1B.

Article via GAA.ie.