Make or break time for Belmont and Coolderry in final round of group games Offaly Senior Hurling Championship

THE final round of the groups in the Molloy Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship will take place next weekend with double bills in Birr and Tullamore.

The standout fixture is the group 2 clash between Coolderry and Belmont with the winner going into the quarter-final and the loser out.

That is a real knockout game and while the two group winners and semi-finalists have to be determined, the stakes are nowhere near as high in the other games.

So far the championship has went on very predictable lines. Not only do we know five of the qualifiers but it would not have taken an Einstein to forecast their presence in the business end of the season.

Kilcormac-Killoughey, St Rynagh's, Birr, Shinrone and Ballinamere are definitely through and will be joined by either Belmont or Coolderry in the last six.

The relegation play off will be between Kinnitty and Seir Kieran and the only other issue to be decided this week is which teams go direct into the semi-finals.

In group 2, this is very straightforward – the winner of Ballinamere and champions, Shinrone will go into the semi-finals.

The picture is a bit more cloudy in group 1 but Kilcormac-Killoughey are in pole position. They have six points with St Rynagh's and Birr on four points. A point from their final game against Birr will put them into the semi-finals but there is the possibility of three teams tying on six points here. That will happen if Birr beat Kilcormac-Killoughey and St Rynagh's beat Kinnitty – scoring diffference will then decide the placings and the clubs will be all too aware of the new ruls that apply.

The scoring difference will be determined by the results from the games involving Kilcormac-Killoughey, Birr and St Rynagh's and the results from their wins over Tullamore and Kinnitty won't count. You can also be sure that the clubs involved will accept the outcome and the rule if a tie does emerge and won't be seeking loopholes or escape chutes as Gracefield have done in senior “B” football.

The final round fixtures are:

Group 1

St Rynagh's v Kinnitty: Sunday in O'Connor Park 2.45pm

With Kinnitty already in the relegation play off, it is impossible to make any case for them pulling off a shock against St Rynagh's. Kinnitty had a fantastic draw with St Rynagh's last year and you never know but a repeat would be a very poor result for the Banagher based club.

Last year, St Rynagh's went into empty after winning the three previous titles and Kinnitty almost beat them. You never know and Kinnitty have absolutely nothing to lose here. The jury also remains out on St Rynagh's. They are title contenders but have not fully convinced so far and it is knockout hurling that will dictate where they are.

A defeat or draw won't put St Rynagh's out but it would damage their confidence. Don't expect them to fire on all cylinders but they should be able to win with a few points to spare.

Verdict – St Rynagh's.

Kilcormac-Killoughey v Birr: Sunday in O'Connor Park 4.15pm

With both teams already through, the meeting of Birr and Kilcormac-Killoughey is not as interesting as it would be normally.

A semi-final place, however, is a significant carrot and both would love to claim it. Like the first game, neither side will go flat out here but Kilcormac-Killoughey are favourites. They are moving well and have emerged as championship front runner. Birr will give them a rattle and won't be far away but K-K can book their semi-final berth.

Verdict – Kilcormac-Killoughey.

Group 2

Belmont v Coolderry: Saturday in Birr 6pm

The meeting of Belmont and Coolderry is the most attractive fixture of the weekend by a country mile. It is high stakes, knockout hurling and it will be fiercely fought.

Both sides are in identical places. They are searching desperately for their best form and enter this game with question marks hanging over them. They have both lost to Shinrone and Ballinamere and beaten Seir Kieran. It is far removed from the form of champions and the two are very much outsiders at the moment.

Belmont have been very close to breaking through in recent years. They almost had Shinrone beaten in the semi-final last year and could only look on jealousy as the victors went on to win the Sean Robbins Cup. They had other near misses but have performed this year. Injuries is a factor. Oisin Kelly is out with a cruciate and David Nally has also missed game time but after being so close for so long, Belmont could also be running out of gas.

Coolderry are entering a transitional period. Many of their great long serving stalwarts are now gone and it is going to take them time to replace them, if it can be done. Brian Carroll is still there but is now in the role of a high impact sub. He will have a big bearing on the outcome here while Belmont could really do with getting David Nally back.

It is more or less a 50-50 game but Belmont are marginal favourites. They retain a capacity to play hurling at a high intensity and they can survive.

Verdict – Belmont.

Shinrone v Ballinamere: Saturday in Birr 4.15pm

A meeting between Shinrone and Ballinamere would normally set the pulse racing but the stakes aren't high enough on this occasion. Both sides are already through but they will still have a right cut at this one. Getting to a semi-final is a very substantial reward and a quarter-final against St Rynagh's or Birr would be laced with danger and uncertainty.

Ballinamere in particular could do with winning this and getting to a semi-final. They have done very well to emerge as title contenders this year and have a few of the best hurlers in Offaly in their ranks. They have the capacity to do what Shinrone did last year and win the title but it is a huge ask for them. This is the year to do it with Kilcormac-Killoughey having the potential to dominate in the not too distant future.

Shinrone have defended their title very well so far and are well capable of putting it back to back. They won't want to be one season wonders but they have impressed. This game will tell a lot about both sides. Shinrone are slight favourites.

Verdict – Shinrone.