Big games on agenda in Offaly Senior Hurling Championship

SOME big games, with the stakes getting very high, will inject real life into the third round of the Molloy Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship next weekend.

There are two mouth watering games in group 1 with Ballinamere meeting Shinrone and Birr taking on Belmont.

With two of the five rounds played, Ballinamere and surprise packets, Kinnitty have three points from their two games, Birr and Shinrone have one from one and Belmont have none from two.

The top team in each group qualifies for the semi-final with 2^nd and 3^rd criss crossing in two quarter-finals. Kinnitty have a bye in round 3 but their outstanding form has thrown all predictions up in the air.

Belmont are in a critical position after losing their two games while qualification is not guaranteed for the two teams on three points.

There is less uncertainty around group 2 where Kilcormac-Killoughey are on course to top the group with four points from two games. Coolderry and St Rynagh's have two from two while Seir Kieran and Tullamore have no points from one game.

Round 3 fixtures are:

Group 1

Ballinamere v Shinrone: Saturday, August 17 in Birr at 3pm

Shinrone put pressure on themselves when conceding a late goal to draw with Kinnitty in their first outing and this has made their meeting with Ballinamere much more important for them. They could really do with a win and a defeat would leave them on very icy ground.

Ballinamere have been solid so far. They weren't at their best when drawing with Birr but were better when beating Belmont in their second game. It is very early days but the initial indications are that Ballinamere and Shinrone are Kilcormac-Killoughey's biggest threats – though Shinrone's form against Kinnitty provided more questions than answers as they bid to make a third final in a row.

This is as close to a 50-50 game as it gets and no result would surprise.

Verdict – Ballinamere.

Birr v Belmont: Saturday, August 17 in Lusmagh at 5pm

The meeting of Birr and Belmont is the most attractive of the weekend. It is a high stakes game, very close to knockout for Belmont and Birr also need a win with real pressure on both sides.

It is a renewal of the league final when Belmont looked very good when destroying Birr. Birr were spectacularly bad that evening but the wheel has turned since then. Birr performed very well in their draw against Ballinamere while Belmont have suffered defeats to Kinnitty and Ballinamere.

The championship form to date means that Birr are actually marginal favourites for this but their bye may have come at an inopportune time. We will have to wait and see whether the few weeks has done them good or harm. This is a wide open game and should provide great entertainment.

Verdict – Belmont.

Group 2

Kilcormac-Killoughey v Seir Kieran: Friday, August 16 in Kinnitty at 7pm

It will be a huge shock if Seir Kieran beat championship favourites, Kilcormac-Killoughey on Friday evening. The champions have shown excellent form so far while Seir Kieran have lost to Coolderry.

Shocks do happen and you should never write anyone completely off. The Kinnitty venue may suit Seir Kieran and they will tear into Kilcormac-Killoughey with everything they have, trying to pull them into a dogfight. It would be great if they did that but all the pre-match speculation will surround K-K's winning margin, rather than the result.

Verdict – Kilcormac-Killoughey.

St Rynagh's v Tullamore: Sunday, August 18 in Kilcormac at 6pm

St Rynagh's will have been stung by both the scale of defeat and their capitulation against Kilcormac-Killoughey in their last game. They have a point to prove and they can't afford to lose this as they bid to make sure of qualification.

Tullamore competed well early on against Kilcormac-Killoughey before falling away. They won't fear St Rynagh's and will fancy their chances. At the same time, St Rynagh's have quality in the right areas to hurt Tullamore and should be able to recover.

Verdict – St Rynagh's.