PREVIEW: Margin for error narrrows significantly in Offaly Senior Football Championship

THE second round of the Tullamore Court Hotel Senior Football Championship takes place next weekend and the margin for error will be very tight for first round losers.

While it is always possible for three teams to tie on two points in a four team group, a second loss could prove fatal for those who lost their first round.

In group 1, Tullamore beat Ferbane and Durrow had a really good win over Clara in the first round while Rhode got the better of Edenderry and Shamrocks drew with Bracknagh in group 2.

This weekend's games are:

Group 1

Tullamore v Clara: Friday in O'Connor Park at 7.30pm

The gun is to Clara's heads now and they need to beat one of Tullamore and Ferbane to stay in the championship and avoid the relegation play off. It is a big ask and their cause is not helped here as they are likely to be without Barry Egan and Conor Doyle, who were sent off against Durrow. Tullamore will be very hard to beat in the championship. They have such a strong back bone and play so effectively – they don't have a really natural scoring forward and that is a problem for them but they have a lot of players who get scores for them. Historically, Clara relish playing Tullamore and they will be fired up for them but you couldn't put money on a shock win here.

Verdict – Tullamore.

Ferbane v Durrow, Sunday in Tubber at 12 noon

A very big game for both sides and it is one that Ferbane really need to win. They won't be taking anything for granted against Durrow, who performed well to beat Clara in the first round. There had been an expectation that their dual players would prioritise hurling with Ballinamere this year but most of them played against Clara and looked hungry. Unfortunately for Durrow, two of them, Jack Fogarty and Ciaran Burke were sent off and look like they will miss this one. Durrow can't afford these losses. Joe Maher and Cathal Flynn missed Ferbane's defeat by Tullamore and the Ferbane attack will be a lot more potent if they are on board. Expect Durrow to give them a real run but Ferbane to have enough to get home.

Verdict – Ferbane.

Group 2

Bracknagh v Edenderry in Clonbullogue on Saturday at 4pm

The meeting of Bracknagh and Edenderry is one of the most interesting games of the weekend. There are enough question marks around Edenderry at the moment to suggest that Bracknagh have an outside chance of an upset win. It is one, however, that Edenderry can't afford to lose. They have a lot of talent in their ranks and should be able to win.

Verdict – Edenderry.

Rhode v Shamrocks in O'Connor Park on Saturday at 6pm

Shamrocks did very well to draw with Bracknagh in the first round considering that they are down over half a dozen of their top footballers. Rhode hit the ground running against Edenderry and Shamrocks face a daunting task. Shamrocks will work very hard and you never know but a big consideration for them is to keep the losing tally down – if Shamrocks and Bracknagh lose their last two games, scoring difference will determine who goes into the quarter-finals and relegation play off.

Verdict – Rhode.