No surprises in first round of Offaly Intermediate Football Championship

THERE was no big surprises when the Offaly Intermediate Football Championship got underway this weekend.

Group 1 started on Saturday night and went entirely as expected. One of the title favourites, Tullamore were way too strong for Kilcormac-Killoughey, winning by 2-16 to 2-5 in Kilcormac. Tullamore fielded a strong team while K-K had a weakened outfit, with one eye on their big Senior Hurling Championship game with St Rynagh's next weekend.

Walsh Island got a very important 2-15 to 1-16 win over St Rynagh's in Cloghan. Relegated from senior B last year, Walsh Island were pushed the whole way before winning.

The two group 2 games took place on Sunday afternoon. Dylan Hyland showed his importance for Raheen as he inspired them to a 0-19 to 1-11 win over Ferbane in Geashill. Dealing with a troublesome groin injury, Hyland came on in the 22^nd minute when Raheen were trailing by 1-6 to 0-3. They were 0-10 to 1-6 ahead at half time and always looked like winning in the second half as Hyland top scored with nine points.

One of the championship favourites, St Brigid's made the start they needed to with a convincing 5-11 to 1-13 win over last year's junior champions, Edenderry in Croghan. The home side were in control when leading by 3-7 to 1-4 at half time and had the points in the bag early on. A couple of key players from last year's junior winning side have gone senior and it looks like Edenderry will struggle at the higher level – senior manager Richie Dalton is going with a policy of playing as many young players as possible in senior and that is certainly working for them in the top flight.

The top team in each group qualifies for the semi-final with second and third in two quarter-finals and round two takes place on August 15-17:

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Fixtures, with first named at home, are:

Group 1

Tullamore v St Rynagh's;

Walsh Island v Kilcormnac-Killoughey.

Group 2

Ferbane v St Brigid's;

Edenderry v Raheen.