Third round to decide knockout pairings in Offaly IFC

THE knockout pairings in the Tullamore Court Hotel Intermediate Football Championship will emerge on Thursday evening when the final round of group games take place.

So far, there has been no big surprises with no clearcut favourites emerging – though there is a strong case to be made for giving that distinction to Tullamore even if their record in this grade in recent years does not back that up.

The top team in each group goes into the semi-finals and second and third meet in two quarter-finals with the bottom team clashing in a relegation play off.

Raheen are top of group 1 with four points, Ferbane and St Brigid's have two and Edenderry are heading out with two defeats.

In group 2, Tullamore have four points, Kilcormac-Killoughey and Walsh Island have two while St Rynagh's have none. If Tullamore beat Walsh Island and St Rynagh's take Kilcormac-Killoughey, Walsh Island, St Rynagh's and K-K will all tie on two points. However, Walsh Island are in the happy position of being through if that does happen and St Rynagh's need to beat K-K by two points to qualify - a one point win won't do them.

It has ended up very tight for the last two spots in that group. If Walsh Island, St Rynagh's and K-K tie, scoring difference from the games involving them will apply but as those games have been so close, Walsh Island can't be caught by both of them. They have beaten St Rynagh's and lost to K-K and their scoring difference from those two games is +1. K-K are on +1 after beating Walsh Island and St Rynagh's are on -2 as a result of their defeat by Walsh Island. If Walsh Island lose to Tullamore, as is likely, they are still through no matter what happens - if St Rynagh's win and go ahead of Walsh Island on scoring difference, K-K will have to go back from their +1 tally, meaning that the Island are safe - and if K-K win, St Rynagh's will stay behind them.

There could be a three way tie on four points if Walsh Island beat Tullamore and K-K beat St Rynagh's - if this happens, Walsh Island will need to beat Tullamore by seven points to top the group. The more realistic avenue for this, however, is to beat Tullamore and St Rynagh's to take K-K out of that equation - Walsh Island would qualify on the head to head then but there will be long odds on that happening, either way, and Walsh Island are just grateful that they don't have to worry about the K-K and St Rynagh's result on Thursday evening.

Group 1

Edenderry v Ferbane: Thursday, August 28 in O'Brien Park 7.30pm

Edenderry's entire focus is on senior this year, though they are not out of contention yet. If they won here and Raheen beat St Brigid's, them, Ferbane and St Brigid's would tie on two points with scoring difference deciding who advances.

Ferbane recovered from a first round loss to Raheen with a good win over St Brigid's and they are favourites.

Verdict – Ferbane.

Raheen v St Brigid's: Thursday, August 28 in Edenderry 7.30pm

An interesting hour plus is in store at Raheen v St Brigid's. Raheen have done very well and are assured of qualification. They are working hard and their win over Edenderry in the last game was important as they were without their star player Dylan Hyland, who is managing a very tricky groin injury.

St Brigid's were expected to be very strong contenders but haven't got going yet. They beat Edenderry but lost to Ferbane and did to perform here. A point will ensure top spot for Raheen while St Brigid's would top it if they win and Ferbane don't beat Edenderry – wins for St Brigid's and Ferbane would have those two and Raheen on four points with scoring difference deciding.

Dylan Hyland could have to sit this one out and if he does, St Brigid's will have a great chance though Raheen will be very keen to show they can beat a title contender without their ace forward – there is of course a good chance that Hyland will play, even if there is a lot of very valid reasons for him sitting it out, and it is a different game then.

It's a hard one to call.

Verdict – St Brigid's.

Group 2

Walsh Island v Tullamore: Thursday, August 28 in Daingean 7.30pm

Relegated from senior “B” last year, Walsh Island received a dose of reality when Kilcormac-Killoughey beat them in the last round. As explained above, Walsh Island are under no pressure in this because of the scoring difference and they are very relieved to be in that position.

The other big thing for Walsh Island with this is that they are out of the relegation battle and while they have championship ambitions, staying up was their first priority this year. The problem they face is that some of the players who are on their way down the wrong side of the footballing hill are also their most important. They are terrific battlers but it is entirely possible that Walsh Island will end up back in junior at some stage in the coming seasons. At the moment they can look forward to a quarter-final and they will relish the opportunity of this challenge.

Tullamore have a lot of very good players at this grade and they won't lose any to their senior team at this stage. It will be a surprise if they don't win.

Verdict – Tullamore.

SEE NEXT: WATCH: Offaly star shines on Aussie Rules debut with goal with her first kick

Kilcormac-Killoughey v St Rynagh's: Thursday, August 28 in Shannonbridge 7.30pm

The meeting of Kilcormac-Killoughey and St Rynagh's is the most interesting of this final round in most respects. Hurling is king in K-K but they have plenty of lads well capable of playing good football and showed this with a fine win over Walsh Island in the last round.

St Rynagh's have struggled so far, losing to Walsh Island and Tullamore but they have a chance of rescuing their season and a two point win here will put them through. They would also be through with a one point win if Walsh Island did get a result against Tullamore -  then St Rynagh's will be through on the head to head with K-K but they will be aiming for a win of over a point.

It's a real 50-50 game, a hard one to call but there is a definite possibility of three teams tying on two points in this group and if St Rynagh's are to win, it will probably be by more than a point - though there is a strong case to be made for making K-K favourites. 

Verdict – St Rynagh's.