Happy Easter and welcome along to our coverage of this afternoon’s Allianz league action. It’s hurling that’s primarily on the agenda this afternoon as the key issues are sorted out in the final round of league games in the various divisions.

Hurling is the main focus this afternoon but there is one important football game to keep an eye on. Meath and Antrim was postponed last Sunday due to poor weather conditions but their Division 3 football league encounter has been refixed this afternoon for Casement Park.

It’s Meath enjoying the upper hand so far as they lead 1-9 to 0-6 at the interval. David Larkin raised the green flag in a game that had a 1.15pm throw-in time. Victory is key for Meath if they are to be in with a shout of promotion ahead of next Sunday’s final round of games.

Here’s the Division 1A matches that are on the agenda this afternoon.

Tipperary v Clare, Semple Stadium, 3pm, (Ref: James Owens, Wexford)
Kilkenny v Cork, Nowlan Park, 3pm, (Ref: Brian Gavin, Offaly)
Waterford v Galway, Walsh Park, 3pm, (Ref: Anthony Stapleton, Laois)

There’s three games in Division 1B this afternoon as well.

Antrim v Offaly, Casement Park, 3pm, (Ref: Alan Kelly, Galway)
Limerick v Wexford, Gaelic Grounds, 3pm, (Ref: Diarmuid Kirwan, Cork)
Dublin v Carlow, Parnell Park, 3pm, (Ref: Christopher Browne, Galway)

And here are the fixtures for Division 2A:

Laois v Wicklow, Portlaoise, 3pm, (Ref: Michael O’Connor, Limerick)
Westmeath v Kildare, Mullingar, 3pm, (Ref: David Hughes, Carlow)
Kerry v Derry, Tralee, 3pm, (Ref: Fergal Horgan, Tipperary)

The game in Division 3A:

Donegal v Fingal, Letterkenny, 3pm, (Ref: Brendan Sweeney, Tyrone)
Fermanagh v Monaghan, Enniskillen, 3pm, (Ref: James Clarke, Cavan)
Tyrone v Louth, Omagh, 3pm, (Ref: Paul Braniff, Down)

And the matches in Division 3B:

Warwickshire v Leitrim, Páirc na hÉireann, 3pm, (Ref: Gavin Quilty, Kilkenny)
Longford v Sligo, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 3pm, (Ref: John Keane, Galway)

Division 3 FL: Meath 1-14 Antrim 0-7: The Royals have gone ten points clear in the second-half and Antrim have been reduced to 14 men in Casement Park.

There’s plenty permutations to wrap your head around in Division 1A. The remarkable situation is that all of the six teams can reach the league semi-finals  and all of them can suffer relegation.

Waterford currently top the table on five points while Clare, Cork, Kilkenny and Tipperary are all on four points, and Galway are bottom of the table on three points.The scoring difference currently sees Waterford at -3, Clare at +6, Cork at +6, Kilkenny at +2, Tipperary at -1 and Galway at -10.

All six teams could finish on five points if Galway defeat Waterford in Walsh Park while the games between Tipperary and Clare, and Kilkenny and Cork both finish in draws. In that instance scoring difference will come into play to determine the three semi-finalists and the two teams who will be involved in the relegation play-off.

Division 3 FL: Meath 1-16 Antrim 0-10: Meath remain in the ascendancy in Casement Park. Check out defender Davy Dalton putting his head on the line for the Royals

Pic: INPHO/Presseye/William Cherry

In Division 1B, Limerick have already qualified for the final and Dublin know they only need a point at home to Carlow in Parnell Park to ensure they will also contest that decider.

Cork travel to Nowlan Park this afternoon to face Kilkenny in their first visit to the venue since April 2009. The county don’t have fond memories of that game but it was a day to remember for Kilkenny as they triumphed by 4-26 to 0-11. Here’s a moment of genius from Henry Shefflin, who won’t be in action today, from that clash.

YouTube: HurlingGoals

Division 3 FL: FT – Meath 1-19 Antrim 0-11: A fine victory for Mick O’Dowd’s Meath team in Casement Park. They entertain Fermanagh next Sunday in the final round of games and still have hopes of claiming promotion.

We’re counting down towards throw-in in today’s games. Here’s your team news for the Division 1A games.

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy (Glenmore); Conor Fogarty (Erin’s Own), JJ Delaney (Fenians), Jackie Tyrell (James Stephens); Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan), Brian Hogan (O’Loughlin Gaels), Kieran Joyce (Rower Inistoge); Lester Ryan (Clara), Michael Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks); Walter Walsh (Tullogher Rosbercon), Eoin Larkin (James Stephens), Richie Hogan (Danesfort); Ger Aylward (Glenmore), Colin Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Aidan Fogarty (Emeralds).

Cork: Anthony Nash (Kanturk); Killian Murphy (Erins Own), Brian Murphy (Bride Rovers), Conor O’Sullivan (Sarsfields); Lorcán McLoughlin (Kanturk), Christopher Joyce (Na Piarsaigh), Stephen White (Ballygarvan); Danial Kearney (Sarsfields), Patrick Cronin (Bishopstown); Conor Lehane (Midleton), Cian McCarthy (Sarsfields), Paudie O’Sullivan (Cloyne); Stephen Moylan (Douglas), Luke O’Farrell (Midleton), Patrick Horgan.

Waterford: Ian O’Regan (Mount Sion); Shane Fives (Carrigtwohill), Liam Lawlor (Fourmilewater), Stephen Daniels (De La Salle); Jamie Nagle (Dungarvan), Michael Walsh (Stradbally), Darragh Fives (Tourin); Shane O’Sullivan (Ballygunner), Kevin Moran (c) (De La Salle); Maurice Shanahan (Lismore), Seamus Prendergast (Ardmore), Brian O’Halloran (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg); Ray Barry (Lismore), Jake Dillon (De La Salle), Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater).

Galway: Colm Callanan (Kinvara); Johnny Coen (Loughrea), Kevin Hynes (Sarsfields), Fergal Moore (Turloughmore); Niall Donoghue (Kilbeacanty), David Collins (Liam Mellows), Joseph Cooney (Sarsfields); Iarla Tannian (Ardrahan), Andy Smyth (Portumna); Aidan Harte (Gort), Jonathan Glynn (Ardrahan), Davy Glennon (Mullagh); Cyril Donnellan (Padraig Pearses), Joe Canning (Portumna), Damian Hayes (Portumna).

Tipperary: Darren Gleeson (Portroe); Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh), Paul Curran (Mullinahone), Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields); Conor O’Brien (Éire Óg Annacarty), Conor O’Mahony (Newport), Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields); Brendan Maher (Borris–Ileigh), Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch); Shane Bourke (JK Brackens), Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields), John O’Dwyer (Killenaule); Eoin Kelly (Mullinahone), Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch), Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney).

Clare: Patrick Kelly (Inagh/Kilnamona); Domhnall O’Donovan (Clonlara), David McInerney (Tulla), Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge); Brendan Bugler (Whitegate), Patrick Donnellan (O’Callaghan Mills), Patrick O’Connor (Tubber); Conor Ryan (Cratloe), Nicky O’Connell (Clonlara); Colm Galvin (Clonlara), Tony Kelly (Ballyea), Colin Ryan (Newmarket-on-Fergus); Sean Collins (Cratloe), Shane O’Donnell (Eire Og, Ennis), John Conlon (Clonlara).

A late change on the Cork team that was announced during the week as Killian Murphy replaces the injured Shane O’Neill at corner-back. Erins Own player Murphy has impressed on the last two UCC Fitzgibbon Cup winning sides.

Three late changes to bring you from Walsh Park for the Galway hurling team. St Thomas All-Ireland club winners David Burke and Conor Cooney come into the side as does attacker Niall Burke from Oranmore-Maree.

The three Galway players to make way are Portumna pair Andy Smith and Damien Hayes along with Ardrahan’s Jonathan Glynn.

A big day of hurling action is just about to start. Who’ll be in the Division 1 hurling semi-finals by the end of the day?

Early drama in Nowlan Park. Cork have two goal chances inside the opening minute but Patrick Horgan’s piledriver is brilliantly stopped by Kilkenny goalkeeper Eoin Murphy and Luke O’Farrell sees his rebound effort blocked.

Division 1A HL: Tipperary 0-1 Clare 0-0: Eoin Kelly rifles over a free for the first score of the game in Semple Stadium to put Tipperary ahead.

Division 1A HL: Cork 0-2 Kilkenny 0-0: Great skill from Conor Lehane to break free and fire over off his left for Cork’s first point of the game and Patrick Horgan converts a free shortly after.

Division 1A HL: Waterford 0-1 Galway 0-0: Jake Dillon puts the Deise into the lead in Walsh Park.

Division 1B HL: Dublin and Carlow have swapped points in Nowlan Park as the teams stand at 0-1 apiece while Shane Dowling has put Limerick ahead by 0-2 to 0-1 against Wexford in the Gaelic Grounds.

Division 1A HL: Waterford 0-1 Galway 0-1: Iarla Tannian ties the teams with a point for the Tribesmen.

Division 1A HL: Tipperary 1-2 Clare 0-1: A decisive strike for Tipperary as Eoin Kelly plants the ball in the net to send them four points clear in Thurles.

Division 1A HL: Cork 0-2 Kilkenny 0-1: Tommy Walsh gets Kilkenny off the mark in Nowlan Park.

Division 1A HL: Waterford 0-2 Galway 0-1: Jamie Barron edges Waterford in front with a point.

Division 1B HL: Kevin Byrne has found the net for Dublin to put them ahead by 1-1 to 0-2 against Carlow. While it’s 0-3 apiece between Limerick and Wexford, and the same between Antrim and Offaly.

Division 1A HL: Cork 0-4 Kilkenny 0-1: Paudie O’Sullivan and Stephen Moylan stretch Cork’s lead with points in Nowlan Park.

Division 1A HL: Tipperary 1-5 Clare 0-2: Tipperary are gone six points clear with Eoin Kelly, Lar Corbett and Michael Cahill all on target. Colin Ryan is Clare’s only scorer so far and both of his points have come from frees.

Division 1B HL: Limerick 0-4 Wexford 0-4: Paul Morris ties the teams with a point for Wexford.

Division 1A HL: Galway 0-4 Waterford 0-3: Joe Canning has just seen his penalty effort stopped on the line by the Waterford defence but the Tribesmen still lead by a point.

Division 1A HL: Tipperary 1-6 Clare 0-4: Clare steady their challenge with points from Ryan, a free, and Tony Kelly from play. They are hurling against the wind.

Division 1B HL: Latest - Antrim 0-6 Offaly 0-7, Limerick 0-5 Wexford 0-4, Dublin 1-2 Carlow 0-4.

Division 1A HL: Tipperary 1-7 Clare 0-4: Great save from Patrick Kelly to protect the Clare goal as he tips a Brendan Maher shot over the bar. Tipperary enjoy a six-point advantage in Thurles.

Division 1B HL: Limerick 0-6 Wexford 0-6: Kevin Downes and Garrett Sinnott trade points in the Gaelic Grounds.

Division 1A HL: Cork 0-5 Kilkenny 0-3: Two points from Eoin Larkin, one from a free and one from a ’65, trimmed the margin for Kilkenny. Yet Conor Lehane has pushed Cork back in front by two points.

There’s just over ten minutes to go in the first-half of today’s games.

Division 1A HL: Cork 0-6 Kilkenny 0-3: Stephen Moylan notches his second point of the game for the Rebels.

Division 1B HL: Dublin 2-2 Carlow 0-5: Dublin find the net again with Niall McMorrow bagging their second goal.

Division 1A HL: Galway 0-6 Waterford 0-3: Joe Canning pushes Galway clear by three points.

Division 1A HL: Tipperary 1-8 Clare 0-4: Eoin Kelly is leading the way as he points a free to put Tipperary clear by seven points.

Division 1A: Cork 0-7 Kilkenny 0-4: Cork’s Daniel Kearney and Kilkenny’s Lester Ryan trade points. Richie Power is on for the Cats as he replaces Ger Aylward.

Division 1A: Tipperary 1-10 Clare 0-4: Tipperary are looking very impressive so far with Noel McGrath adding their latest point.

Division 1B: Limerick 1-7 Wexford 0-8: Na Piarsaigh player Adrian Breen has found the net for Limerick.

Penalty for Kilkenny.

And Kilkenny have seen their penalty saved. Richie Hogan’s effort is stopped on the line.

HT – Division 1A: Cork 0-7 Kilkenny 0-7: All square at the break in Nowlan Park as Colin Fennelly and Eoin Larkin hit late points for Kilkenny.

HT – Division 1A: Tipperary 1-11 Clare 0-6: Late points from John Conlon and Colin Ryan for Clare but they trail by eight points at the break.

HT – Division 1B: Dublin lead Carlow by 2-5 to 0-7, it’s 0-11 apiece between Offaly and Antrim while Limerick are ahead 1-9 to 0-9 against Wexford.

HT – Division 1A: Galway 0-8 Waterford 0-3: Successful trip to Walsh Park so far for Galway with Joe Canning and Niall Burke firing over points before the break to send them ahead by five.

Half-time in Division 2A - Laois 0-11 Wicklow 0-2, Westmeath 0-14 Kildare 1-5, Kerry 1-9 Derry 0-4.

As it stands at the moment Cork, Tipperary and Kilkenny are into Division 1 hurling league semi-finals while Clare and Waterford are in the relegation final.

Correction to half-time in Division 1B, a late point by Wexford’s Paul Morris sees them trail by 1-9 to 0-10 against Limerick.

Waterford’s Shane Fives and Niall Burke of Galway
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

Division 1A: Kilkenny 0-8 Cork 0-7: Richie Hogan gives Kilkenny an early second-half boost with a neat point.

Kilkenny’s Michael Fennelly and Conor Lehane of Cork
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

Division 1A: Kilkenny 0-9 Cork 0-9: Paudie O’Sullivan and Conor Lehane on the mark for Cork while Eoin Larkin raised a white flag in between. It’s tight and tense in Nowlan Park, five minutes into the second-half.

Division 1A: Kilkenny 0-9 Cork 0-9: Paudie O’Sullivan and Conor Lehane on the mark for Cork while Eoin Larkin raised a white flag in between. It’s tight and tense in Nowlan Park, five minutes into the second-half.

Division 1A: Galway 0-9 Waterford 0-4: Davy Glennon and Seamus Prendergast swap points.

Division 1A: Cork 1-10 Kilkenny 0-11: Big score for Cork as Luke O’Farrell smashes the ball to the net after great work by Stephen Moylan.

Division 1B latest: Dublin lead Carlow by 2-7 to 0-8, Limerick are ahead of Wexford by 1-10 to 0-12 while Antrim lead Offaly by 0-14 to 0-12.

Division 1A: Galway 0-10 Waterford 0-5: Davy Glennon extends Galway’s lead with a point.

Division 1B latest: Antrim 0-17 Offaly 0-14, Limerick 1-13 Wexford 0-12, Dublin 2-8 Carlow 0-8.

Division 1A: Galway 0-10 Waterford 0-6: Seamus Prendergast is leading the Deise fightback.

Division 1A: Tipperary 2-14 Clare 0-10: Shane Bourke sends Tipperary ten points clear as he raises a white flag.

As it stands: Cork, Tipperary and Galway in semi-finals; Clare and Kilkenny in relegation final.

Eoin Larkin misses a chance to tie the teams in Nowlan Park from a ’65.

Division 1A: Galway 0-11 Waterford 0-7: Some breathing space for Galway as David Burke sends them four points clear.

Division 1B: Dublin 3-11 Carlow 0-8: Niall McMorrow hits home his second goal of the game and Dublin look certain to face Limerick in the divisional decider.

Division 1B: Antrim 0-19 Offaly 0-19, Limerick 1-15 Wexford 0-15, Dublin 3-11 Carlow 0-8.

As it stands now: Tipperary, Kilkenny and Galway into league semi-finals while Cork and Clare are in the relegation final.

Division 1A: Galway 0-13 Waterford 0-8: Maurice Shanahan cuts the gap to five points with a score for Waterford.

Division 1A: Kilkenny 0-16 Cork 1-12: Patrick Horgan converts a free to leave the minimum between the teams.

Patrick Horgan wide in Nowlan Park from open play with a point attempt to tie the teams.

FT – Division 1A: Kilkenny 0-20 Cork 2-12: A late Michael Fennelly point seals victory for Kilkenny.

It looks like Tipperary and Galway will join Kilkenny in the league semi-finals as they currently lead their respective games.

FT – Division 1B: Offaly 0-21 Antrim 0-19: The Faithful finish their campaign with a two-point win in Casement Park.

FT – Division 1A: Tipperary 3-19 Clare 1-14: Tipperary are into the Division 1 semi-finals.

FT: Division 1A: Galway 0-15 Waterford 0-12: A three-point win for Galway as they advance to the semi-finals.

So after a hectic day of action in the Allianz hurling league, what do all the results mean?

• Tipperary, Kilkenny and Galway have grabbed the three semi-final places on offer in Division 1A.
• Cork will play Clare in the relegation final in Division 1A on the weekend of April 13th/14th.
• Limerick will play Dublin in the final of Division 1B next weekend.
• Tipperary will play Dublin or Limerick in the semi-finals of Division 1 while Kilkenny will face Galway in the other Division 1 last four clash.
• Antrim will meet Carlow in the relegation final in Division 1B.

That’s all from us today, thanks for joining us.