Little to play for as Offaly senior “B” hurling semi-final pairings to be decided

THERE is very little at stake for the final round of group fixtures in the Molloy Precast and Environmental Systems Senior “B” Hurling Championship this weekend.

The identity of the four semi-finalists is known. Carrig-Riverstown, Lusmagh, Clara and Kilcormac-Killoughey are all safely through and the only issue to be decided is who plays who.

First meets fourth and second takes on third in the semi-finals and at the moment, that would result in clashes of Carrig-Riverstown v Kilcormac-Killoughey and Lusmagh v Clara.

At this stage, however, it doesn't really matter who plays who in the semi-finals and the final round is a dead rubber for those four clubs.

This is not the case for Coolderry and Clodiagh Gaels in the other game and they have agreed to double this up as the relegation play off – if they wished they could have a second bite of the cherry and meet a second time to decide who goes back to intermediate but have wisely agreed to settle this in one shootout.

The games in the final round are:

Clodiagh Gaels v Coolderry: Friday, September 5 in Faithful Fields, Kilcormac 7.30pm

This is the only real significant game this weekend and both sides will be keen to avoid relegation. Coolderry won intermediate last year and would like a second year at the higher grae but have found the step up a big one. Clodiagh Gaels were beaten in the last two senior “B” finals and relegation would be a disaster for them. Injuries and suspensions have hit them this year and it is far more important for them to stay up than Coolderry – a return to intermediate will have a very minimal impact for Coolderry in the broader scheme of things.

Clodiagh Gaels will have to perform to get get the win and should be capable of doing so.

Verdict – Clodiagh Gaels.

Carrig-Riverstown v Lusmagh: Saturday, September 6 in Birr 2.30pm

Carrig-Riverstown and Lusmagh have been the best two teams in the championship so far and on form, this could very well be a dress rehearsal for the final. It won't be a full intensity game and the stakes just aren't big enough for that. Neither side can slip into fourth place and the result won't mean much. It is all about knockout for both teams now and this game is a chance to fine tune things, give any injured players time to recover and maybe try a couple of things. No result will surprise in the slightest.

Verdict – Carrig-Riverstown.

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Kilcormac-Killoughey v Clara: Saturday, September 6 in Banagher 2.30pm

Kilcormac-Killoughey are not as good as the last two years when they completed a great double, double in senior and senior “B” hurling. They can't be with Thomas and Peter Geraghty and Mark Mulrooney gone to their senior team. They are beatable and it would be a good thing for Offaly hurling to see new champions at this grade, a team promoted to senior but that doesn't mean K-K can't win this grade. They can, they have qualified for the semi-finals with two wins on the trot and they looked good in their demolition of Coolderry in their last game.

Clara have done very well after surviving the relegation play off last year but it remains to be seen how good they are. K-K have a bit of momentum behind them now and may carry that on.

Verdict – Kilcormac-Killoughey.