Hard working Cappincur set pace in Offaly SFC “B” as Daingean get crucial win

MAXIMISING every ounce of their resources, Cappincur moved to the top of the table in the Tullamore Court Hotel Senior “B” Football Championship at the weekend – they have five points from three games, one more than the championship favourites Clara who have a game less played and had their bye this weekend.

With their star player Bill Carroll watching on from the sidelines, Cappincur were forced to work hard but always looked like they would get there as they beat Ballycumber by 1-17 to 1-12 on Saturday afternoon, They will be without John Colgan and PJ Daly for the remainder of the season as both fell victim to the dreaded cruciate injury in recent weeks and they are devastating losses for Cappincur.

Bill Carroll was togged out once again in Ballycumber but didn't come on and Cappincur's title prospects depend to a large extent on getting him fit and firing on all cylinders. They have done very well, however, in his absence and with five points, they are well on course to claim one of the four semi-final places on offer – though it is not yet written in stone.

Clara will almost certainly claim another one. They have been the best team at this grade this year and really should be able to win the championship but you can never be certain with Clara. As always, knockout football in O'Connor Park will define them and they have not always liked the answers this has provided in recent years.

The battle for the remaining two semi-final places will be fiercely fought. Tubber are on three points from three games, Ballinagar have two from two, Gracefield have two from three, Daingean have two from two and Ballycumber have none from three.

Tubber and Ballinagar served up a thrilling 1-20 to 3-14 draw in Tubber on Friday evening. It was a better result for Tubber than Ballinagar, even if they scored more times. Ballinagar led by 2-5 to 0-1 after a few minutes and really should have been able to win from here. With two pointers, a ten point lead is not as big as it once was but Tubber didn't shoot the lights out with these and Ballinagar are finding it hard to adapt to the higher grade of football after coming out of junior ranks just a few years ago and winning intermediate last year.

They drew with Cappincur in their first game and had ample chances in both to have maximum points on board and be semi-final bound. Instead they find themselves on a tight rope, with the players to get into the title hunt but also looking anxiously over their shoulders at the relegation battle.

Tubber were also missing county hurler Donal Shirley on Friday night and he is an excellent footballer, well capable of playing senior football for Offaly.

The weekend's fixtures were concluded in Daingean on Sunday with the home side getting up and running with a crucial 2-14 to 3-7 win over Gracefield.

As always, this is a very fascinating championship and while Clara are clear favourites, they are generally open to sabotage raids and there are a few teams who will relish taking them on. Cappincur have made the loudest noises so far but there is uncertainty about them and injuries is a major issue for them. Their back up is limited, they have a couple of players with a lot of footballing miles up and they can't afford any more injuries to their top half dozen footballers. They will be very hard beaten but will also find it hard to win this championship and a team such as Tubber, Ballinagar or Daingean could emerge up on the rails.

Daingean needed their win after a very poor display in their opening defeat by Clara. County star Shane Tierney only came on as a 41^st minute sub and Daingean were in a spot of bother when they trailed by 2-4 to 0-5 at half time after Michael Wilcox and Niall Smith got Gracefield goals – former county star Niall Smith is very much in the winter of a long career and he is a coach with Tullamore senior footballers this year.

Another former county player Ruari Allen, who was home from Australia for the first two rounds, wasn't here for this and Daingean got on top in the second half. Shane Marsden and Cian Reilly got the crucial goals as they got away for the win they had to get.

It leaves Daingean very much in the mix while Gracefield's margin for error has reduced significantly and they are facing the likelihood of being on two points after four games as they have Clara next up.

Ballycumber can be ruled out of the equation and their sole focus is to stay up. They are trying hard but are in a valley period at the moment and it may take them some time to see daylight.

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https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/gaa/1871971/tubber-much-the-happier-after-great-comeback-as-wasteful-ballinagar-drop-another-point.html

Cappincur grind out another win to remain on track for semi-finals

Daingean pull off strong second half comeback to seal victory over Gracefield

Round 3 fixtures are:

Ballinagar v Ballycumber;

Cappincur v Daingean;

Gracefield v Clara.