Edenderry to grab semi-final berth as Offaly SFC progresses exactly as expected

THE Tullamore Court Hotel Senior Football Championship has proceeded almost exactly as expected with only one surprise during the group teams and the predicted six clubs making the knockout stages.

When the groups were drawn at the start of the year, most observers would have backed Tullamore, Edenderry, Ferbane, Rhode, Shamrocks and Bracknagh to make the knockout stages with Ballycommon, Durrow and Clonbullogue enduring early exits.

Not only did this emerge on cue but the six qualifiers had their knockout places booked with a round to go, meaning that there will be minimal interest in next week's final phase of the group stages.

Tullamore can't be caught in group 2 and are in the semi-finals. They will be joined by Edenderry from group one if they pick up a point in their closing game against Ballycommon, they will top the group and avoid the quarter-finals.

The only big surprise to date has been the scale of Edenderry's first round mauling of Rhode. That result raised all sorts of questions about Rhode and the age profile of their team but they have recovered very well. They got back on track with a very good win over Ferbane and booked their quarter-final slot with a victory over Ballycommon.

A win over Durrow will earn them second spot in group 1 and if Shamrocks record an expected win over Bracknagh, Rhode will face Bracknagh in a quarter-final. This opens up a path to the semi-final for them and Rhode are still alive and kicking, ravenously hungry to win another title and prove a point to everyone. They are very much in the mix though questions remain and it would be a terrific achievement for them to win another championship.

The championship has thrown up other talking points. The quality of Tullamore's play in their win over Shamrocks suggests that they are moving onto another level. It does come with a caveat as Shamrocks' resistance was way below expectations but Tullamore are clearly in good health. They have players to come back, their Mayo coach Stephen Rochford is having a very positive impact and the new rules are suiting them, forcing them to play a more enterprising game.

The jury is out to varying degrees on Edenderry, Ferbane and Rhode. Edenderry have improved, trusting younger players and yielding the dividends from this but knockout football will be their litmus test. Ferbane have not played as well as the last couple of years. They looked to have slipped a little bit but they remain a very potent force and there is a strong case for making them second favourites, even if Edenderry have performed better in the group.

Rhode are Rhode and they will be ferociously hard to beat. Their fitness levels have improved as the season has progressed and you will have to be in the full of your health to beat them but they do have a few players in the Winter of their career and we have to wait and see.

Tullamore are strong favourites but they fell across the line in the last two county finals against Ferbane. They haven't had a killer instinct in recent years, leaving the door open for teams. They have paid a price for this in some games, got away with it in others and this suggests they will be vulnerable at some stage, there to be beaten. It may be different this year with the new rules and time will tell but if they do develop that ruthless streak to go with their work rate, it will be very hard to beat them.

Ferbane, Edenderry and Rhode are the three teams with genuine title prospects. Shamrocks looked to be turning a corner but their display against Tullamore suggests they have a big body of work ahead of them and a title is beyond reach for them at the moment – the loss of Paddy Dunican for the year with a cruciate injury and possible absence of David O'Toole-Greene with a shoulder injury further hurts their chances.

Having said that, they could take someone in a quarter-final, make a semi-final and you never know but they are outsiders. Bracknagh are the rank outsiders and you can't make a case for them winning a first title. Their hope is to give it a real go in the quarter-final and see what happens but even if they did pull off a shock there, it is hard to envisage them managing three of those.

The final round fixtures are:

Group 1

Ballycommon v Edenderry: Saturday, September 13 in Croghan at 6pm

Edenderry have plenty of incentive here as a point will secure a semi-final place. Ballycommon were delighted to record their first win since returning to senior two years ago with a fine second half display against Durrow. Unfortunately, the door on their path into the quarter-finals was shut when Ferbane and Edenderry drew, and they have only pride to play for now. They will certainly fight hard and try and give a good account of themselves but Edenderry should be able to get the win they need.

Verdict – Edenderry.

Rhode v Durrow: Saturday, September 13 in Daingean 6pm

Durrow's title aspirations are gone and it makes Rhode red hot favourites for this one. You would give Durrow an outside chance if they had a quarter-final place at stake but they don't and you can't imagine them having the work done to surprise Rhode. Durrow have produced flashes of very good football but their dual commitments have gone against them. In fairness to their hurlers, they have performed and committed and no one in Durrow can point the finger at them. With Ballinamere meeting Kilcormac-Killoughey in the hurling quarter-finals, that has to take precedence for them and football is well down the list of priorities for all dual players now – though you would expect those players to still play in this one.

A lack of football has manifested at times for some but this couldn't be any other way with a handful of county hurlers on their team. The big problem for Durrow has been that games have got away from them in the second half and their fighting qualities have been suspect when pressure came to bear.

That is something that will have to be remedied next year if they are to progress but is too late for this year. Rhode will be well focused to make sure they win – it would see them top the group in the unlikely event of Ballycommon beating Edenderry and it's hard to see them slipping up.

Verdict – Rhode.

Shamrocks v Bracknagh: Saturday, September 13 in Geashill at 6pm

Shamrocks have been stung by their display against Tullamore and will be trying to bounce back with a decent performance against Bracknagh. With both sides in the quarter-finals, the stakes aren't high but the display they give is and both need to put their best foot forward heading into the quarter-finals. Shamrocks are favourites but Bracknagh have a chance here. They have been close to Shamrocks over the years and won't fear them in the slightest.

Verdict – Shamrocks.

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Tullamore v Clonbullogue: Saturday, September 13 in Gracefield at 4pm

Clonbullogue have had a baptism of fire in senior football, well beaten by Shamrocks and losing out to parish neighbours Bracknagh in an acrimonious second round. It has all been a bit of a disaster for them with county midfielder Jack McEvoy suspended for the first round and injuries ruining their prospects. McEvoy will be back for this and Clonbullogue will be giving this everything they have.

Fortunately, there is no relegation this year and Clonbullogue are assured of a second year at senior level. It is good that they have that opportunity and the space to do the work they need to do. Even with a semi-final place in the bag, Tullamore are unlikely to relax sufficiently here to suffer a defeat and as things stand, the only real question is what their winning margin will be.

Verdict – Tullamore.