Having earned promotion from Divisions 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B respectively, Offaly, Meath, Roscommon and Cavan are the big winners so far in the Allianz Hurling League.
It leaves the last – and biggest – prize still to be won when Kilkenny and Limerick meet in the Division 1 final in Pairc Ui Chaoimh next Sunday (2.00).
It’s a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland final, which the Shannonsiders won by two points (1-31 to 2-26).
Limerick are attempting to win the League title for the third time in five seasons.
They are chasing their 14th Division 1 title, having won their last one in 2020.
Kilkenny are bidding for their 20th Division 1 title. They have won 18 outright and a 19th on a shared basis with Galway as there was no final in 2021 due to Covid’s impact on the season. Kilkenny’s last win in a final was in 2018 when they beat Tipperary. Derek Lyng leads Kilkenny into a final for the first time.
Michael Walsh Former Kilkenny Hurler
Limerick manager John Kiely
