Galway hurlers sent a strong message to Clare but didn't beat them

A DRAW with All-Ireland champions Clare at Cusack Park, Ennis last Sunday clinched an Allianz NHL quarter-finals ticket for Galway. They will be away to Division 1B runners-up Limerick next Sunday, at Páirc na nGael, at 3.30 p.m.

In the other quarter-finals, all to be played on Sunday, Clare will be away to Laois, at Portlaoise; Tipperary will be at home to Cork, and Wexford at home to Kilkenny.

Into a Division IA relegation play-off go Waterford (with a home venue) and Dublin, while Antrim will have a home venue for the IB relegation play-off with Offaly.

On the evidence of last Sunday’s very spirited, all round excellent performance in Ennis, this Galway team will be strongly fancied to get past a Limerick team who had only a four-point win over Laois last weekend, 1-17 to 1-13, after Laois were seven points up at half-time, 1-9 to 0-5.