All to play for in final group games of Offaly Senior Hurling Championship
WITH the exception of Shamrocks, every other team in the Aidan Bracken Building Design Senior Hurling Championship has something to play for going into the final round of games this weekend.
Shamrocks are already destined to play in the Relegation Play-Off where they will face either Drumcullen or Tullamore who go head to head this Friday.
Originally fixed for Moystown, the game has subsequently been switched to O’Connor Park this Friday evening. Neither side has managed to pick up a point so far which makes this very much a winner takes all game however a draw would favour Tullamore as they would keep their noses ahead on score difference if the sides finish level.
The other four teams in Group 2 are all guaranteed a quarter-final place however there is plenty of jockeying for position to be done yet to see who finishes where after the final ball is pucked.
Belmont go into their game with St Rynagh’s knowing they would leapfrog their opponents with a win no matter what happens in the other game. Potentially Belmont could finish second with a win if the result in the other game goes their way. St Rynagh’s are currently second but in a strange quirk could win and then finish third as if Birr beat Shinrone, three teams would then finish level on points and St Rynagh’s score difference would count against them.
If current leaders Shinrone get a draw or better against Birr, they will top the group however a defeat, again depending on score difference, could see them drop to third should St Rynagh’s also win.
The equation is probably simplest for Birr as a win by two points or more would all but guarantee them top spot. Incredibly they could move up to second even if they lose and Belmont were to overcome St Rynagh’s.
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In Group 1 three teams are fighting it out for the final two quarter-final places and the permutations are complex to say the least.
Kinnitty are currently in fifth and out of the quarter-finals and they must get something from their game with Kilcormac/Killoughey to have any chance of climbing the ladder. There is a scenario where a draw could be enough however they would need either Brosna Gaels or Seir Kieran to lose. If both win, Kinnitty cannot overtake them no matter what they do.
Kilcormac/Killoughey are in the quarter-finals and a draw or better against Kinnitty would secure at least second. They must win and hope Coolderry lose to claim top spot in the Division. A defeat could drop them down one or even two places.
Seir Kieran appear to be in a good spot given that they are playing a Shamrocks team with nothing to play for and a -63 score difference. A win could see them jump to second depending on other results.
Current table toppers and defending champions Coolderry realistically need just a draw from their game against Brosna Gaels to maintain their position. Should they lose they could be overtaken by Kilcormac/Killoughey.
Brosna Gaels could well lose and still hold a place in the quarter-finals however in that scenario they would need Kilcormac/Killoughey to do them a favour and beat Kinnitty. Brosna Gaels do control their own destiny but they need to win to make sure they are not overtaken.
All in all an intriguing weekend ahead. Have your calculators at the ready.....
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Senior Hurling Championship Fixtures
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Friday 17th August
Aidan Bracken Building Design Senior Hurling Championship
Druncullen v Tullamore O’Connor Park C Groome 7.00 pm
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Saturday 18th August
Aidan Bracken Building Design Senior Hurling Championship
Kilcormac/K v Kinnitty OCP B Gavin 7.00 pm Linesmen, D Cooke, C Groome.
Belmont v St Rynaghs Lusmagh T Carroll 7.00 pm
Coolderry v Brosna Gaels Rath M Walsh 7.00 pm
Birr v Shinrone Carraig P Freeman 7.00 pm
Seir Kieran v Shamrocks Crinkle M Kirwan 7.00 pm
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Friday 24 May 2013
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