Calculators at the ready – John Martin

Neil McAuley, Antrim, in action against Shaun Murphy, Wexford

CALCULATOR Sunday is upon us once again. That annual mental agility test that stretches not only our arithmetic skills but also our reasoning skills which confirm that hurling’s relegation and promotion arrangements are indeed the most complicated in sport.

At least this year there is a chance that an Ulster side can reach a Division 1 final but as was always going to be the case in a six-team, five-round league, it depends on what’s happening elsewhere.

First up it’s probably a good idea to give a rundown of how the new system works – and don’t rely Tomás Mulcahy’s explanation from last Sunday’s league highlights show on the RTE player – it’s wrong.

In Division 1A, the top three teams go forward to the Division 1 semi-finals. The top team in 1A plays the winner of Division 1B in one semi-final, and the second and third-placed teams in 1A play each other in the other semi-final.

At the other end, the two bottom teams contest a relegation play-off with the loser relegated to Division 1B.

In Division 1B, the top two teams contest the final. The winners are promoted to Division 1A and also earn a place in the Division 1 semi-final (see above). The bottom two teams contest a relegation play-off with the losers relegated to Division 2A.

The full story can be read in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published March 29. To get your copy, click the subscribe button on this page, or buy one in your local newsagent now!