Cork and Limerick set for Division 1A final date on Easter Sunday

March 21, 2026

Limerick's Aaron Gillane celebrates with Cathal O'Neill after the latter's goal against Galway ©INPHO/James Crombie

Cork will play Limerick in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A final on April 5th after both sides recorded their respective fifth wins of the campaign in this evening's final round of games.

The Rebels were in relentless form as they handed already relegated Offaly a 6-26 to 0-20 defeat at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh to leave themselves a game away from retaining their league title.

Barry Walsh found the net four minutes in for the hosts and Brian Hayes and Walsh would raise green flags in the run up to half-time which saw their side taking in a commanding 3-10 to 0-7 advantage.

Playing for pride only, Offaly sent over early second-half scores via Dan Bourke, Dan Ravenhill and Adam Screeney, but they’d be wiped out by William Buckley’s 44th minute goal and more majors from Darragh Fitzgibbon and Tim O’Mahony helped inflict what was a 24-point hammering on the Faithful men in the end.

In the TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick battled to a 2-27 to 0-31 victory over Galway to book their place in the Division 1 decider on Easter Sunday.

John Kiely’s side were 0-10 to 0-7 in front when Cathal O’Neill hammered in their first goal in the 24th minute and a couple of points from O’Neill, along with an Adam English, would move the hosts towards a 1-16 to 0-9 lead at the interval.

The Tribesmen battled back in the second-half, with scores from Aaron Niland, Darragh Neary and Jason Rabbitte helping their cause as they eventually reduced their arrears to two before Aaron Gillane struck a timely goal for the Shannonsiders in the 67th minute.

Niland (free), Neary and Colm Molloy sailed over points in response for the visitors ahead of Gillane and Molloy trading points in the dying stages as Limerick held on for the win.

Meanwhile, Tipperary and Kilkenny the only draw of this year’s Division 1A campaign as it finished 2-27 to 3-24 between the old rivals at FBD Semple Stadium.

Kilkenny’s superb start in Thurles included a Liam Moore goal inside the opening minute, running up a 1-9 to 0-6 lead before Jake Morris pulled back a goal for Tipp in the 18th minute.

The All-Ireland champions would have it level by the half-hour mark and went in at the break ahead by 1-14 to 1-13 thanks to Jason Forde’s free.

Liam Cahill’s men goaled in the first minute of the restart through Darragh McCarthy and looked to be coasting before TJ Reid found the net for the Cats midway through the second-half and the Leinster champions would retake the lead via the points of John Donnelly and Eoin Cody.

Martin Keoghan got their third goal in the 61st minute, but the Premier men rallied and went ahead again with a late brace of points from Morris before Jordan Molloy’s effort in the fourth minute of injury-time ensured a share of the points for Kilkenny.


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