Local derbies standout fixtures in round two of Offaly Senior Hurling Championship

TWO mouth watering local derbies are the standout fixtures in round 2 of the Molloy Precast and Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship this week.

The parish derby between Tullamore and Ballinamere on Thursday night and St Rynagh's clash with Belmont will both capture plenty of attention in those areas. While Ballinamere are clear favourites against Tullamore, their first round loss to Coolderry adds to the attraction in this and St Rynagh's and Belmont looks to be close to a 50-50 game.

Group 1

Tullamore v Ballinamere: Thursday, July 24 in O'Brien Park at 7.30pm

A big game for Ballinamere who were not happy with their first round loss to Coolderry. They were flat that day, didn't match the hunger of their opponents and fell away to a disappointing and deserved defeat.

It is a big game for Tullamore, their first in the championship and they would love to pull one over their neighbours, who have been operating at a much higher level in recent years.

Tullamore could have hosted this game in either O'Brien or O'Connor Park: They have opted for O'Brien Park and this has been the source of much local comment. There is an opinion out there that Tullamore feel they would have a better chance of a win over Ballinamere in O'Brien Park than the wide open spaces in O'Connor Park. They could be right in that but it really doesn't make that much difference and it is their prerogative to choose – though you couldn't imagine Tullamore choosing anywhere other than O'Connor Park for a home senior football game and their home clash against Shamrocks has been fixed for there on August 30.

The theory that Tullamore have a better chance against Ballinamere in O'Brien Park could well be pie in the sky anyway – Ballinamere have a lot of physically strong players and the likes of Ciaran Burke, Ross Ravenhill, Jack Fogarty, Chris McDonald, Brian Duignan and others won't be one bit perturbed at playing in O'Brien Park.

Their first round defeat means that this is more or less a must win game for Ballinamere and a second defeat could prove fatal. They will be on tender-hooks for it and they have a major point to prove after the way they performed against Coolderry. Many people's fancy to win the Sean Robbins Cup, this game won't answer all the questions but it will give an indication if Ballinamere are gone off the boil and something more terminal is going on – rather than just suffering a case of first round blues against a club who will always relish playing those type of games and opponents.

The form book of recent years suggests that Ballinamere will win this but Tullamore have an outside chance. It is their All-Ireland and they will be so highly motivated for it. They will hit the ground with fierce intensity and Ballinamere will need to match this. When it comes down to it though, Tullamore don't have seven county hurlers, they don't have a cohort of players of the calibre of Mark Troy, Ciaran Burke, Ross Ravenhill, Dan Bourke, Brian Duignan, Sam Bourke – Dan Ravenhill is recovering from a knee operation.

With former Kilcormac-Killoughey manager Shane Hand at the helm, Tullamore have been working hard, will give it a real go and if they can hang in there until the final quarter, anything could happen. Maybe there is a fragility emerging in Ballinamere, the Coolderry game has sown the seeds of this impression and this game will tell more. All things being equal, Ballinamere should be able to get away for the win but they have to go and do it now, to perform.

Verdict – Ballinamere.

Coolderry v Seir Kieran: Saturday, July 26 in Coolderry at 6pm

Coolderry's fantastic win over Ballinamere has set up their season and means that they are now odds on to make the quarter-finals at least.

Seir Kieran were blown out of the water by Birr in the first round and the evidence of that game suggests that they are in bother. They were just a long way off the pace that evening and even if they can't win this one, they need to give a much better performance.

These two clubs know each other well and Seir Kieran will tear into them. Coolderry, however, looked good against Ballinamere and while we certainly couldn't say at the moment that they will win the championship, they should collect two more points here and move closer to a knockout place.

Verdict – Coolderry.

Group 2

St Rynagh's v Belmont: Friday, July 25 in Banagher at 7.30pm

Belmont performed really well in their first round draw against Kilcormac-Killoughey and should have collected both points. K-K were missing a handful of their best players and there was a great opportunity there for Belmont to win – even though Oisin Kelly is in America at the moment and Leon Fox has transferred away.

Still Belmont will be very happy with collecting a point and they very much showed that they have the right attitude, as well as loads of hurling ability. The short journey to Banagher will tell more about them.

St Rynagh's lost to Shinrone in the first round, this is a big game for them and they urgently need to get points on the board. With Kilcormac-Killoughey ahead of them, a defeat will leave them in trouble and it is an early, high stakes game. Oisin Kelly is still away for Belmont and they could really do with him for this. It is more or less a 50-50 game and no result would surprise. St Rynagh's are slight favourites and they performed reasonably well in their loss to Shinrone. They can edge a real tight battle.

Verdict – St Rynagh's.

Kinnitty v Shinrone: Saturday, July 26 in Kinnitty at 4pm

Kinnitty enter championship action after a bye in the first round and they face a tough one at home to Shinrone.

Shinrone lived dangerously at times in their first round win over St Rynagh's but still performed well and collected two crucial points. Their win and performance suggests that they are going well and are one of the few that can win the championship.

It is a big game for Kinnitty, who performed above expectations last year, showing terrific heart and almost making the quarter-finals. The early signs this year as worrying for them though. One of their star players, Paddy Delaney has gone to Australia and they were well beaten by Tullamore in the Division 1 Hurling League relegation play off.

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They now come up against a generally young side who will be full of running and determined to make no mistakes as they close in on a quarter-final. Kinnitty will be highly motivated and will hit Shinrone with everything they have but it will be a surprise if the border side don't win with a few points to spare.

Verdict – Shinrone.