Round 2 of Offaly Intermediate Football Championship

ROUND 2 of the Tullamore Court Hotel Intermediate Football Championship takes place this week with four games down for decision.

The first round took place two weeks ago with Walsh Island beating St Rynagh's and Tullamore getting the better of Kilcormac-Killoughey in group 1. Raheen and St Brigid's had wins over Ferbane and Edenderry in group 2.

With the top team in each group going into the semi-finals and second and third qualifying for the quarter-finals, a second defeat won't rule a team out but the first round losers could really do with a win this weekend.

Fixtures are:

Group 1

Tullamore v St Rynagh's: Friday, August 15 in O'Brien Park 7.30pm

Tullamore could lose players to senior but if they can hold their team together, they could be very hard to beat at this level. As always, Tullamore won't hold players back if they wish to use them in senior and this could go against this team but they should make the knockout stages and can book their passage here – though St Rynagh's will relish taking them on and have players who can hurt.

Verdict – Tullamore.

Walsh Island v Kilcormac-Killoughey: Sunday, August 17 in Walsh Island 12.30pm

Beaten by Tullamore in the first round, Kilcormac-Killoughey won't have a huge appetite for football this year but could still give Walsh Island a rattle. Walsh Island's first round win over St Rynagh's set them up nicely. They are capable of bad days and have a few players heading down the wrong side of the hill but this represents a great early chance to secure knockout football.

Verdict – Walsh Island.

Group 2

Ferbane v St Brigid's: Saturday, August 16 in Ferbane 4pm

Ferbane blew very hot and cold in their first round loss to Raheen. They were easily the better team for 20 minutes but were not at the races when Raheen introduced county star Dylan Hyland and the nature of their defeat raises prospects.

With players of the experience of Joe Maher, Ronan McGuire, David Kelly and others in their ranks, Ferbane should be decent at this level. The Raheen defeat raises questions and this is a big game for them. St Brigid's are close to the top of the list of title favourites and got a first round win to get going. A Ferbane win would be a very mild surprise here and they should have more players at their disposal here than in Geashill when they only used one sub. They won't be far away but S Brigid's are favourites.

Verdict – St Brigid's.

Edenderry v Raheen: Sunday, August 16 in Edenderry 5pm

No team in the top three tiers is as dependant on one individual as Raheen are on Dylan Hyland and they almost certainly would not have beaten Ferbane in the first round without him coming on and running the show.

The Offaly star really shouldn't be playing football at the moment and should be getting his groin right for Offaly next season - the more he plays, the less fit he will be for Offaly and the long picture should be looked at here but Raheen can't afford to be without him and Hyland's loyalty to his club is obvious to all who watches him in action - would probably play for them on one leg for them.

A break from football is really in Hyland's long term interest but a win here will give some sort of leeway at least and send them into knockout football. Raheen may attempt to win this without him and they are capable of doing that against Edenderry, who won the junior championship last year but have lost key players to their senior team. Raheen do have a lot of very solid footballers and to highlight the Offaly forward's value to them is not to diminish their dedication and what they can do on the field.

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They have plenty of players you have to admire and Hyland could not flourish without them. Raheen are warm favourites but Edenderry have a lot of players, a big pick and they won't be one bit afraid of them. Could Raheen win this without their star man? They certainly could but it could be very close and it is very doubtful if their management would have the nerve to leave Hyland on the line if it is any way tight in the second half. Raheen to win with Hyland playing a role.

Verdict – Raheen.