What's at stake for Limerick in final round of Munster senior hurling championship

THE permutations heading into the final round of Munster senior hurling championship games next weekend will ensure the identity of the three sides to advance in the championship goes right down to the wire. 

Limerick take on Waterford in the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday May 26 at 4pm, live RTE2 TV, while Clare make the trip to Thurles to face Tipperary at the same time on Sunday. 

Limerick are currently top of the Munster senior hurling championship round-robin series, but given the tight nature of the competition, the Shannonsiders could be eliminated from the championship on Sunday. 

There a lot permutations for Limerick hurling supporters to wrap their head around ahead of Sunday. 

Clare will be strong favourities to beat Tipperary given the Premier County have failed to register a win in the Munster championship and are already out of contention. A Clare win would ensure Brian Lohan's charges reach the Munster decider. 

A win for Limerick against Waterford will knock the Deise out of the championship which would mean a repeat of last year's Munster final between Limerick and Clare. Cork would then go through to the All-Ireland series in third place. 

A draw between Limerick and Waterford would knock Cork out of championship which would also result in a Limerick v Clare Munster final. In that case, Waterford would then go through in third place and Cork would be knocked out

A win for Waterford against Limerick would knock the reigning Munster and All-Ireland champions out of the championship.

Waterford would take on Clare in the Munster final, while Cork would advance to the All-Ireland series on the head to head rule after defeating the Shannonsiders in their dramatic round robin fixture. 

If Tipperary were to beat Clare in Thurles next weekend along with a Limerick victory over the Deise, the result would be a Limerick v Clare Munster Final. Clare would have the head to head rule on Cork given they defeated 'the Rebels' in the championship. Cork would go through in third place. Waterford would be knocked out of the championship. 

A draw between Clare and Tipperary and a Waterford victory would also knock Limerick out of the championship. Clare would then face Waterford in the Munster final. Cork would go through in third place on the head to head rule as they defeated Limerick.

If both games finish level Limerick and Clare will reach the Munster final, while Waterford would go through in third place. 

A draw between Limerick and Waterford and a Tipperary win would mean a Limerick vs Cork Munster final, while Clare would get through in third place. 

If Tipperary and Waterford win this weekend Davy Fitzgerald's side will reach the Munster decider and Limerick, Clare and Cork will battle it out for the remaining places on goal difference. 

A draw between Limerick and Waterford and a Tipperary victory would mean the Shannonsiders would advance to the Munster final, while Waterford, Cork and Clare would also battle it out for the remaining places on goal difference.