Plenty of talking points in opening round of Offaly Senior and Senior “B” Hurling Championships

THE Offaly Senior and Senior “B” Hurling Championships got underway last weekend with plenty of very good, competitive games and a few talking points.

In the Senior Hurling Championship, the big news was Coolderry's fantastic win over a very ambitious Ballinamere and Belmont holding Kilcormac-Killoughey to a draw.

Ballinamere and champions Kilcormac-Killoughey are the two front runners for the Sean Robbins Cup but both were given food for thought in the first round.

Kilcormac-Killoughey were held to a 0-15 each draw by Belmont in Moystown and were relieved to have got a share of the spoils. Belmont were very glad to get a point but they did let a great opportunity of a big win slip as a vastly understrength K-K were very vulnerable. Belmont were down their star player in Oisin Kelly while Leon Fox has transferred to Louth but K-K were down a host of their top stars, including Adam Screeney, Charlie Mitchell, Cillian Kiely, Ter Guinan and Leigh Kavanagh.

K-K have much greater depth in strength, a far deeper pool of talent than any other club in Offaly at the moment but even they were rattled by the volume of outstanding hurlers absent and did very well to salvage a point.

The other group 2 game saw Shinrone just about do enough to beat St Rynagh's by 0-19 to 0-17 on Sunday evening in Shinrone. It was nip and tuck the whole way and could have went any way but Shinrone finished well to secure a very important win and go top of the table – Kinnitty are the other team in group 2 and they host Shinrone next while St Rynagh's have home advantage against Belmont and K-K have a bye, that may facilitate them in getting some of their absent players back in action.

The really big talking point at the weekend was Coolderry's 2-22 to 2-14 win over Ballinamere. After running K-K close in last year's county final, there is a weight of expectation around Ballinamere this year but they made a very sluggish start. Coolderry are masters at putting their best foot forward, they were very hungry and highly motivated and finished powerfully in the closing quarter. Daniel Miller got 2-2 off the bench and it sets the south Offaly side up very well.

The other group 1 game saw Birr have a very comprehensive 0-31 to 0-15 win over Seir Kieran in Clareen on Friday evening. While Seir Kieran had an evening to forget, it was still an impressive win for Birr and they looked to be in good shape – we won't be able to assess them properly until they have their tougher games against Coolderry and Birr in the coming weeks.

Birr have a bye in round 2 while Seir Kieran are away to Coolderry and Ballinamere make the short trip into Tullamore.

The big news in the Senior “B” Hurling Championship was Lusmagh's fantastic 2-20 to 0-15 win over champions Kilcormac-Killoughey in Kilcormac on Sunday. K-K's dominance of Offaly hurling in the past two seasons has been quite remarkable as they won both senior and senior “B” titles. It is a tribute to the outstanding work that has taken place in all parts of the club over a few years. It would not be a bad thing if they didn't keep winning the second tier but that is absolutely no reflection on K-K, and has nothing to do with them really.

The onus is on the other clubs to get up and knock them off their pedestal. The early evidence suggests that it could happen this year but you wouldn't write K-K off yet as there is plenty of margin for error in a six team group and they could still emerge as the team to beat. They lost three of last year's key players, Peter and Tomas Geraghty and Mark Mulrooney to their senior team on Saturday and would have lost more if they had introduced subs in Moystown.

It was a big win for Lusmagh and sets them up very well. Carrig-Riverstown made the start they needed with a 2-18 to 0-16 win over Clodiagh Gaels in Killeigh on Saturday evening. Clodiagh Gaels were down a few players but C-R will still be delighted at getting two quick points on the board.

Clara hit the ground running with a 2-15 to 0-16 win over last year's intermediate champions, Coolderry. Clara didn't get going last year and had to survive a relegation play off but this win augurs well for their prospects this year. Time will tell though and it is very much the nature of this championship that there will be plenty of twists and turns as the campaign progresses and there will be unexpected results – the top four qualify for the semi-finals.

In round 2, Lusmagh host Coolderry, Clara are at home to Clodiagh Gaels and Carrig-Riverstown will welcome Kilcormac-Killoughey.

There are home and away fixtures for the first two rounds of both Senior and Senior “B” Hurling Championships and it will be neutral venues after that. The home and away system is working well as clubs respond very positively to hosting their own sides in games, doing work to have their facilities looking really well while it also creates a good atmosphere. Interestingly, the only home winner in seven senior and senior “B” games last weekend was Shinrone.

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Molloy Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship

Group 1 Round 1

Coolderry 2-22, Ballinamere 2-14

Birr 0-31, Seir Kieran 0-15

Group 2 Round 1

Belmont 0-15 Kilcormac-Killoughey 0-15

Shinrone 0-19 St Rynagh's 0-17

Molloy Environmental Systems Senior B Hurling Championship Round 1

Lusmagh 2-20, Kilcormac-Killoughey 0-15

Clara 2-15, Coolderry 0-16

Carrig-Riverstown 2-18, Clodiagh Gaels 0-16