SCORING difference will separate three or more teams if they finish on the same number of points in the National Hurling League.
Only if Limerick were to lose against Galway on Saturday, and Tipperary account for Antrim on the same afternoon, would such a scenario arise to determine which two teams would advance to the semi-finals.
A draw or a win for Limerick at Pearse Stadium and John Kiely’s side are through to the last four. Even with a loss, Limerick’s healthy scoring difference should be sufficient to advance.
Galway will be without the services of suspended pair Conor Whelan and Daithí Burke, both sent-off against Dublin.
Limerick’s Kyle Hayes picked-up a training ground knock and is unavailable for selection.
At the weekend, Limerick made it four wins from as many starts with a defeat of previously unbeaten Tipperary.
Losing boss Liam Cahill admitted that Limerick were the better side, particularly in the closing half.
He told reporters: “We hung in there. The margin was three points for a long time. It didn’t feel like that on the sideline from where I was. If I’m being honest, it probably felt it should have been more but very encouraged with the way our boys stayed at it.
“I’m not going to sugar-coat it. Limerick didn’t do anything that Limerick don’t do every day they go out. They didn’t come with anything extra special.
“To be fair to Limerick, they’re just so good and so consistent at what they do,” Cahill added.
“I can’t say that we didn’t know what was coming but we just weren’t able to counteract it again today, call a spade a spade.
“We have to go away and look at it and work on it and keep chipping away at it and find the answers.”
