Lusmagh and Clara on tenterhooks for final round of Offaly Senior B Hurling Championship

LUSMAGH and Clara will be on high alert when the final round of group games in the Molloy Envirormental Systems Senior “B” Hurling Championship takes place on Sunday next.

With Kilcormac-Killoughey, Clodiagh Gaels and Birr already through, the final semi-final spot is between Lusmagh and Clara – and Lusmagh are in pole position as Clara do not have their fate in their own hands.

Clara play Shamrocks in their final game and must win this but they also need Birr to beat Lusmagh. Lusmagh and Birr are both on four points with Clara on two points. If Lusmagh beat Birr, it is no good to Clara – Clara lost to Birr in an earlier round and will go on the head to head rule but they beat Lusmagh and if they tie, they will scrape into the semi-finals, as long as they beat Shamrocks.

Sunday's games all take place at 12 noon:

Shamrocks v Clara in Ballinamere

Shamrocks are already in the relegation play off and have found the step up in standard hard. They have got a couple of bad beatings and their focus will be on the relegation play off – that will be against either Clara or Lusmagh. Clara have to win here and then hope that Birr do them a favour.

Verdict – Clara.

Kilcormac-Killoughey v Clodiagh Gaels in Clareen

Clareen will host the clash of the two title favourites but don't expect a big crowd for this. It is a dead rubber and the only issue at stake is group placings. K-K have eight points and a draw will earn them top spot while Clodiagh Gaels will get that if they win. While the top team will play the fourth and that should be an easier semi-final, the reality may be different. It simply doesn't matter who plays who and expect a bout of shadow boxing here.

Verdict – Kilcormac-Killoughey.

Lusmagh v Birr in Banagher

A huge game for Lusmagh and Clara. The stakes are massive for Lusmagh and this makes a difference. In normal circumstances, Birr would be slight favourites but they have margin for error. In an awful lot of games, the team who has to win achieves that target against the team who can afford to lose, at all levels. It doesn't happen all the time but it does in a high percentage of those games.

Verdict – Lusmagh.