PREVIEW: Clodiagh Gaels can end Kilcormac-Killoughey's double-double ambitions in Senior B Hurling Championship Final

WHEN Kilcormac-Killoughey and Clodiagh Gaels clashed in the Senior “B” Hurling Championship final last year, Kilcormac-Killoughey won with considerably more comfort than the 0-12 to 0-8 final scoreline would indicate.

They were the better the better side by a distance on the day and only some poor misses kept the Killeigh-Killurin outfit alive going into the closing stages but in truth, they never looked like pulling off a shock win.

K-K were warm favourites for that and they had a potent outfit at their disposal with several outstanding players of their golden generation enjoying a brief one season bedding in year at adult level before going to senior.

Since then, James Mahon, Ter Guinan, Leigh Kavanagh and Daniel Hand have all established themselves on their senior side – another member of last year's side, Alex Kavanagh played most of the group games in senior “B” this year but has since been elevated to their first team.

With so many exceptional young players on their side last year, Kilcormac-Killoughey could not be beaten in that final. The absence through suspension of two of Clodiagh Gaels' strongest hurlers, Dylan Hyland and Joey Keenaghan was another factor but it is a very different case this year and the goalposts have moved significantly for their renewal with Clodiagh Gaels in Birr on Saturday.

This is a 50-50 game. Kilcormac-Killoughey may be slight favourites but Clodiagh Gaels have found form at the right time and have a great chance of returning to top flight hurling.

Kilcormac-Killoughey's form was better in the group stages. They did all that they could, topping their group with maximum points from their five games and the enormity of that achievement must be acknowledged – it is a serious achievement for a club to have a 100% record in Offaly's top two hurling championships.

K-K were very impressive in some of their games but significantly, they received one of their toughest tests from Clodiagh Gaels, having to work had to win by 0-19 to 0-16. That win came during a spell when Clodiagh Gaels were in trouble, desperately looking for their A game and flirting with danger of a group exit.

That loss came after an opening draw with Carrig-Riverstown and was followed with a defeat by Lusmagh – Lusmagh's emergence into genuine title contenders was one of the big stories of the championship as they had been mediocre for a couple of seasons.

Another defeat could have been fatal for Clodiagh Gaels but they did well to perform when the gun was to their head and they secured their semi-final berth with wins over Clara and Birr.

Kilcormac-Killoughey have begun to stutter a bit in recent weeks. They were pushed to the pin of their collar twice by Lusmagh, requiring extra time to beat them in the semi-final while there was something very impressive about the way Clodiagh Gaels performed in their 2-15 to 0-15 semi-final win over a fancied Carrig-Riverstown.

It's a hard one to call and Kilcormac-Killoughey do have a great chance as they close in on an unprecedented double-double. They won both senior and senior “B” titles last year and are just three games away from doing so again. Again, that is a fantastic position for this club to be in, a great tribute to their supply lines and the work they have done in recent years.

Kilcormac-Killoughey could have fielded two teams in senior this year but wisely decided not to. It would not have been good for them or Offaly hurling to have two teams in the one championship and the County Board have since moved to close off that possibility.

They would love to retain this championship and are working hard for it but it is also clear that their main focus is on their first team.

They took Alex Kavanagh off this team a few weeks ago and while there is no doubt about his ability to play on their senior side, they could have avoided it if they wished but they went for strengthening them. He would make a big difference on this side but K-K still have the ability to win this.

They have a mixture of youth and experience. Killian Leonard, James Gorman, Dan Currams and Peter and Thomas Geraghty have a lot of senior experience, they know what it is like to win medals, perform on big days. They don't have the star names of last year but they have a very solid team, a lot of potential match winners. The form book means that they are favourites and they will perform.

Clodiagh Gaels do look to be coming good at the right time. The double loss of Hyland and Keenaghan was a dreadful blow for them and both are back here.

Another former county hurler Liam Langton was also below his best last year but has been going much better this year and there is one big factor in this final:

Clodiagh Gaels are stronger this year, Kilcormac-Killoughey are weaker. It doesn't mean that Clodiagh Gaels will win but let no one be under any illusions that the gap, if any, is much lesser this year.

We do have more doubts about Clodiagh Gaels performing than Kilcormac-Killoughey but there is a great chance here for the underdogs. It will be very exciting to watch it all unfold and it will be a drama packed, high stakes shootout that should go right down to the wire. No result will be a surprise but there was something about Clodiagh Gaels in their semi-final win that captured complete respect and they could avenge last year's loss.

Verdict – Clodiagh Gaels.