Drumcullen and Birr hungry to move back up a grade

THERE will be loads of local interest in the Intermediate Hurling Championship final between Drumcullen and Birr in Banagher next Sunday.

It promises to be a great game with no clearcut favourites and both sides having very realistic title prospects. Both are very keen to get back up a grade. Birr were relegated out of senior “B” hurling in 2024 and have done well to get back to the final.

Drumcullen, one of the great names of Offaly hurling but without a senior title since 1960, are desperate to move up a level. A very proud club, they are one of the south Offaly clubs who have suffered from depopulation but have been fighting very hard to turn the tide.

It is a 50-50 one and you just wouldn't know who will win it. Both have had uncertain form but have improved as the season has gone on, both had to go the quarter-final route and they both have a lot going for them.

There is a case for making either of them favourites. Birr are a big club from a big town with plenty of numbers. Drumcullen is a rural club with numbers an issue at underage level but it is their first team whereas it is Birr's second one.

Birr got into the quarter-finals on scoring difference after them, Seir Kieran and Belmont tied on two points for two berths. They had a good win over Seir Kieran but narrow losses to St Rynagh's and Belmont left it all very tight for qualification

Birr have performed very well since then. They had a comprehensive win over Shinrone in the quarter-final and rallied powerfully in the second half to edge out Shamrocks by two points in the semi-final. Shamrocks were six points up at half time and are still wondering how they lost it but Birr showed great character and quality to turn it around.

Drumcullen's form has been marginally better. They lost to Shamrocks in the group but played well in comprehensive wins over Shinrone and Ballinamere. They had a comfortable win over Seir Kieran in the quarter-final and probably had their best display of the year when beating St Rynagh's by 2-19 to 0-15 in the semi-final. Drumcullen were very good that day, never giving a fancied St Rynagh's a sniff of the win as they controlled the game almost the whole way.

Birr won't be one bit afraid to win this and have a good mix of youth and experience. Their key man is centre half back Brian Watkins. He has a lot of senior experience and while a bit of his pace is gone, he has been rock solid.

Cian Nolan has scored very well for them and players such as Eoin Pilkington, Michael Dwane and Darragh Tierney are all capable of scoring.

Drumcullen have a balanced looking team. John Cashin has also been in great form at the heart of their defence while Colm Gath and Eoin Gath have been brlliant for them in some games.

Colm Gath has been playing midfield. A lightening fast player, he will be trying to run straight at Brian Watkins and try and tempt Birr into fouls. Eoin Gath has been scoring very well and Drumcullen have a good spread of scorers.

Neither of them are world beaters. They are in the third tier for a reason and they have players who could struggle on the big day.

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It will be very interesting to see what way this unfolds. No result will be a surprise but Drumcullen's recent form has been very good. Their confidence is high and they will be so hungry on the day. They can edge a very good game.

Verdict – Drumcullen.