Shamrocks and Drumcullen can make Offaly IHC final

THE Molloy Precast and Environmental Systems Intermediate Hurling Championship will move to final stage with the two semi-finals on this weekend.

St Rynagh's v Drumcullen: Sunday, September 21

A huge game for Drumcullen against an inform St Rynagh's side who qualified direct for the semi-finals after winning their group.

On that basis alone, St Rynagh's should be favourites but there is a strong case for going with Drumcullen. Them and Shamrocks are the only firsts team in this grade and that has to be a help. In a way, it would be nice to see them meeting in the final but St Rynagh's and Birr are very capable of taking both of them out.

This is more or less 50-50.

Verdict – Drumcullen.

Shamrocks v Birr: Saturday, September 20 in O'Connor Park 3.15pm

Shamrocks have been title favourites from early in the year but they will be under no illusions about how difficult this semi-final is.

Birr are just down out of senior “B” hurling and they have a lot of very good hurlers at this grade. It will be interesting to see who they play in goals here. Their goalkeeper and captain Adam Fitzgerald has gone senior, creating a vacancy and there is plenty of talk in the town about what they will do – there is some speculation that former senior star and current Lusmagh manager Brian Mullins will get a phone call, Charlie Loughnane is the sub goalkeeper and a lot of their supporters are watching this one with interest.

Shamrocks have performed well this year but are well capable of blowing hot and cold. It looks like former county player David O'Toole-Greene will be out with a shoulder injury and he would be a big loss – he didn't play in Shamrocks' senior football win over Bracknagh on Saturday, though that was a dead rubber game.

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With some exciting young hurlers in underage ranks, Shamrocks are keen to get up a rank before they enter adult hurling over the next five years. There is an opportunity for them to do so this year but they are no world beaters and Birr will certainly fancy their chances. A really big game for Shamrocks and they have to perform.

Verdict – Shamrocks.