Offaly Intermediate Football Championship heads towards knockout stages

THERE is still plenty to play for in the Tullamore Court Hotel Intermediate Football Championship, though some teams will have to win against the head to survive.

Like the other football championships, the top team in each group qualify for the semi-finals with the next two in two quarter-finals and the bottom one in the relegation play off.

Group 1 is fairly clearcut in that each club has their fate in their own hands. St Brigid's are top with four points, Erin Rovers 3, Shannonbridge 1 and Ferbane 0. It means that the winner of Erin Rovers and St Brigid's will go into the semi-finals with a draw enough for the Croghan club. Similarly, the winner of Shannonbridge and Ferbane will make the quarter-finals with a draw sufficient for Shannonbridge.

There is more possible twists and turns in group 2. Daingean are top with four points and in the semi-final, even if they lose to Ballinagar. Raheen have two points, Tullamore and Ballinagar one each.

Tullamore play Raheen and if results go as expected, Tullamore and Ballinagar will remain on 1 point on Friday evening with scoring difference deciding who goes through and who is in the relegation play off. Tullamore have a slight advantage here, -6 compared to -10 but this is slender and it wouldn't take a lot to turn it around.

Another factor is that Daingean have nothing to play for while Raheen do – if Ballinagar beat Daingean and Raheen lost, then the Geashill based club will be out. Daingean won't be doing any favours for their neighbours and it is all very delicately poised for the final qualification place.

There will be a lot of keeping up to date with the other game at both venues. The form book suggests that both Daingean and Raheen will win – though Raheen will be vulnerable if Dylan Hyland is not back from injury. It's a toss of the coin between Tullamore and Ballinagar, with Tullamore the slenderest of favourites.

Group 1

Shannonbridge v Ferbane: Friday in Doon 7.30pm

Verdict – Shannonbridge.

Erin Rovers v St Brigid's: Friday in Tubber 7.30pm

Verdict – Erin Rovers

Group 2

Ballinagar v Daingean: Friday in Rhode 7.30pm

Verdict – Daingean.

Tullamore v Raheen: Friday in Geashill 7.30pm

Verdict – Tullamore.