CONFIRMED: Tipperary's path through the All-Ireland series becomes clear after last weekend

The path for Tipperary in the All-Ireland series has taken shape after Liam Cahill and his players had the luxury of sitting back and watching on as the final round of games in the Munster and Leinster championships unfolded last weekend.

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The slim hopes of a Munster final spot were dashed come full time in the Cork and Waterford game, as the Rebels eventually shrugged off the Déise challenge in SuperValu Pairc Uí Chaoimh to secure a rematch with Limerick in the provincial decider in two weekends’ time

So, as expected, Tipperary will have a prolonged break from action, having finished third in Munster, and the interest will now turn to the Joe McDonagh Cup final on Sunday, June 8 in Croke Park.

Midland neighbours Laois and Kildare will face off in the second-tier decider, with Tipperary waiting in the wings to face the loser of the novel final pairing.

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Laois will go into the game as favourites by a small margin, but whatever way the results end, Tipperary will go to either Portlaoise or Newbridge on the weekend of June 14/15, giving Liam Cahill and his management team time to assess the squad after a hectic Munster championship schedule.

Should Tipperary defeat the Joe McDonagh runners-up, the All-Ireland quarter-final will be next on the agenda, with the loser of the Leinster final the opposition.

Kilkenny and Galway will clash in this year’s Leinster decider, after the Tribesmen accounted for Dublin in a de facto semi-final last Sunday. What that scenario represents is the chance for the Tipperary hurlers to end a run of six years without an appearance in Croke Park and would represent real progress.