PREVIEW: Knockout picture to become clearer after third round of Offaly Senior Hurling Championship

THE knockout picture should begin to become a bit clearer when the third round of the Molloy Enviromental Systems Senior Hurling Championship takes place next weekend.

With two rounds played, group 1 has gone entirely as expected with Birr, Kilcormac-Killoughey and St Rynagh's all on course for qualification – the top team in each group goes into the semi-finals with the next two into two quarter-finals.

Group 2 is the tougher one and is being ferociously fought. It is still all up for grabs here though Coolderry and the outsiders, Seir Kieran are on life support after losing their two opening games and have no margin for error.

In group 1, Birr are top with four points from two games, St Rynagh's and Kilcormac-Killoughey both have two from one and Kinnitty and Tullamore are bottom with no points from two games – it looks very like the loser of their clash will be in the relegation play off.

Birr, St Rynagh's and Kilcormac-Killoughey are definite favourites to progress from here but it is a lot foggier in group 2.

Champions, Shinrone are top with four points from two games, Ballinamere and Belmont have two from one and Seir Kieran and Coolderry are pointless from two games.

One of the championship big guns will go out in this group and at the moment, Coolderry are up to their necks in trouble. They aren't gone yet and two wins could rescue them but the icy ground is melting under their feet. Seir Kieran's form has thrown a spannner into the works. The Clareen men were not at the races last year but have turned a very significant corner this year. While they lost their opening games to Belmont and Seir Kieran, they competed very well in both games and they could throw this group up into the air with a shock win – even if it isn't enough to save their championship bacon.

Previews of this week's games are:

Group 1

St Rynagh's v Birr: Friday in Rath at 7.30pm

Birr's first big test of the year after they eased the pressure on themselves in must win games against Kinnitty and Tullamore. With a local man, Gary Cahill at the helm, they are moving well and it will be interesting to see how they perform here. St Rynagh's are in a similar boat, having beaten Tullamore and had a bye. They need to lay down a marker after coughing up the Sean Robbins Cup last year and this game will tell a lot about both.

Verdict – St Rynagh's.

Kilcormac-Killoughey v Tullamore: Sunday in Tubber at 3pm

Tubber is a very strange venue for this game. While Tubber have excellent facilities, they would not be known as a hurling pitch and if authorities felt they had to give O'Connor Park a weekend off, you would have imagined Kinnitty or somewhere else would have been the choice. It shouldn't matter much and K-K are definite favourites here. Tullamore will battle hard and have some good young players emerging but they have their work cut out.

Verdict – Kilcormac-Killoughey.

Group 2

Seir Kieran v Ballinamere: Saturday in Killeigh at 6pm

A potential banana skin for Ballinamere, who made the start they needed with a win over Coolderry in their only game to date. Seir Kieran will relish taking them on and will really test their mettle. They will rattle into them with everything but this is the type of game Ballinamere have to perform in and win. They look to have the bones of a side that could win a title but qualification is far from assured. Their preparations have not been helped by the postponement of Durrow's SFC clash with Ferbane on Sunday. That was deferred to Tuesday because of the death of former County Board chairman Brendan Ward and Ballinamere definitely could have done without so many of their players playing a football game this close as well as disrupting their planned schedule. They have to win this game.

Verdict – Ballinamere.

Belmont v Shinrone: Saturday in Birr at 6.00pm

With two wins under their belt, Shinrone have a bit of margin for error but a win here would almost certainly put them through. It is a big game for Belmont who just got over Seir Kieran in the first round. They are now facing into a run of three big games and will need results to get through. David Nally should be back for this and is a major help but the jury is still out on Belmont. They were so close to reaching the final last year and have been knocking on the door for a few years but there is a possibility they have shot their bolt. Time will tell. Shinrone have been quietly impressive without hitting top gear so far and a defeat for them here would be a very small surprise.

Verdict – Shinrone.