Clare, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford booked their league semi-final tickets while both Cork and Kerry exhaled a sigh of relief. Here's our hurling team of the week...

1. Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny)

It was a a routine afternoon at the office for Murphy and the Cats who scored a 24-point victory over visitors Offaly.

2. Liam Ryan (Wexford)

It was very much a case of so near and yet so far for Ryan and his Model County team-mates against Waterford.

3. Cian Dillon (Clare)

The Banner County joint-captain weathered the Tipperary storm to advance to a last four encounter against Kilkenny.

4. Conor O'Sullivan (Cork)

O'Sullivan and Cork live to fight another day in Division 1A thanks to their 2-22 to 0-25 relegation play-off victory over Galway.

5. Diarmuid Byrnes (Limerick)

The Shannonsiders may have missed out on promotion but Byrnes & Co put Dublin to the sword on Saturday evening.

6. Darren Dineen (Kerry)

Kerry got their just rewards against Laois and Dineen proved to be the rock on which many a Laois attack perished.

7. Cillian Buckley (Kilkenny)

The experienced half-back will expect a stiffer test when the Cats line up opposite Clare in the semi-final stages.

8. Lee Chin (Wexford)

With Chin getting through a lot of work, Wexford produced a much improved showing against Waterford but they just came up short.

9. Lester Ryan (Kilkenny)

A second-half goal rounded off an industrious performance by the former All-Ireland winning captain.

10. Joe Canning (Galway)

Division 1B beckons for the Tribesmen but their talisman can't be faulted as he registered 13 points against the Rebel County.

11. Conor Lehane (Cork)

With their backs very much against the wall, Cork came out fighting and Lehane's return of six points was crucial to their victory.

12. Shane Nolan (Kerry)

The gifted forward pick-pocketed Laois to the tune of 1-9 (1-3 from play).

13. Patrick Horgan (Cork)

Horgan wasn't found wanting in the Rebels' relegation battle as he contributed 1-7 to his side's winning tally.

14. Maurice Shanahan (Waterford)

Shanahan's accuracy from placed balls helped the Deise scrape over the gutsy challenge of Wexford.

15. John McGrath (Tipperary)

McGrath was a constant thorn in the side of the Clare defence but efforts proved to be in vain.

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