The make up of the knock out stages was confirmed tonight with the final group results.

It's unlikely anyone would have predicted the final placings in both groups - a refreshing change for the closing stages.

Happiest of all will be Mt Leinster Rangers; finishing top of group A gives them breathing space as they attempt the football / hurling double.

Kildavin-Clonegal too will be very satisfied with a consistent level of performance that sees them back to the level they were at in 2006. With all their injuries cleared up since last year they are in a good place.

Tinryland and Old Leighlin finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in Group A while Kilbride and Rathvilly did likewise in Group B, meaning the quarter final pairings are:

Tinryland v Rathvilly

Old Leighlin v Kilbride

Kilbrides win over Rathvilly and Kildavin's demolition of O Hanrahans were the results of the weekend - Kilbride play a very good attacking game; with the smallest pick in the county they continue to delight. Rathvilly struggled to find fluency and the loss of Brendan Murphy, injured in the first half may have been a factor.

Kildavin had to go for scores to have a chance of finishing in first place and couldn't rely on results to do so, hence the O Hanrahans getting a drubbing. With O Hanrahans safe but out of contention they had nothing to play for.

Tinryland had a right tussle with Ballon, getting out by a goal and they will be very satisfied to be through to the quarter final; a club with a proud tradition they will not lack belief. Unfortunately for Ballon, instead of progressing to a QF, they now face a relegation play off - their games was a critical one for themselves and Tinryland.

Palatine recovered some pride in their bottom of the table clash with St Patricks but still face a relegation play off.

Éire Óg dispelled a possible relegation play off thanks to a win over struggling Fenagh, just about avoiding it thanks to Tinryland's win over Ballon. An unusual position for them to be in - depending on other results to avoid that situation.

The end result is the relegation play offs as follows:

St Patricks v Ballon

Fenagh v Palatine

The losing teams will meet in the relegation final with the loser of that game heading to Intermediate grade in 2011.