Big games in round three of Offaly Senior Hurling Championship
Senior “B” hurling games down for decision
THE Molloy Environmental Systems Offaly Senior Hurling Championship is moving quickly into the business end of affairs with round 3 down for decision this weekend.
After three rounds, group 1 has St Rynagh's top with four points from their two games, Coolderry and Kilcormac-Killoughey have two from two and Birr and Kinnitty are pointless with just one game played.
Ballinamere have started well in group 2 with four points from two games. Belmont have two from one game and Tullamore have two from two. Shinrone are pointless with just one game played while Lusmagh have lost two games.
The top team in each group makes the semi-finals and second and third criss-cross in to quarter-finals.
It is very much all to play for and it is knockout hurling that will define things. However, some early evidence has emerged. Four in a row seeking Kilcormac-Killoughey suffered an unexpected defeat to Coolderry in the last round and with Charlie Mitchell out and Adam Screeney unlikely to play until the knockout stages, they look more vulnerable than they have in some time.
K-K remain the favourites but a window of opportunity is there for the other big contenders. K-K won't be a bit upset at having their bye this weekend and much will depend on their hunger. No matter how good a team is, they can be beaten if their hunger diminishes in any way and it is very difficult for players to keep going at peak level year after year. If that is right, they will be very difficult to unseat but the early evidence has raised questions about them – and progression out of their group is not a formality with Kinnitty the underdogs and Birr, Coolderry and St Rynagh's all having real ambitions.
St Rynagh's have done well to turn the corner after failing to qualify last year and on current form, they could develop into real contenders.
Ballinamere have hit the ground running in group 2 where Tullamore's encouraging form has thrown a spanner into the works. Ballinamere, Belmont and Shinrone were expected to qualify but Tullamore have emerged as a real threat – they have a decent chance of qualifying out of this group and while they are down the pecking order at the moment, they are championship dark horses with the potential to improve further.
The third round of games will present a much clearer picture of the way things are going and some clubs will have their margin for error removed.
Round 3 previews are:
Group 1
Birr v Coolderry: Friday, August 7 in Shinrone at 7pm
A huge game for Birr, who were very disappointed to lose to St Rynagh's in their first game. Very close to beating K-K in last year's semi-final, Birr have not clicked yet. Seir Kieran beat them in the league semi-final and their defeat by St Rynagh's suggests that this result was not an off day.
Coolderry had a fantastic win over Kilcormac-Killoughey in the first round but then lost to Rynagh's in round 2. This is the pick of the group 1 games, a potentially season defining one for both – the losers will be in real peril of a group exit. The stakes couldn't be any higher and no result will surprise.
Verdict – Birr.
St Rynagh's v Kinnitty: Saturday, August 8 in Birr 5.15pm
St Rynagh's form has been the big standout in the opening two rounds and they have done really well to get back on track after a very poor 2025.
This game represents a great chance for them to book qualification and ensure that their closing round shootout with Kilcormac-Killoughey is not a knockout game for them. Kinnitty will always give their best and have pulled off surprises before. St Rynagh's won't take them for granted but it is a game they would want to be winning.
Verdict – St Rynagh's.
Group 2
Tullamore v Belmont: Saturday, August 8 in Kilcormac 3pm
Tullamore and Belmont could provide one of the games of the weekend and it will tell a lot about both.
Tullamore are emerging from relegation battlers into a team with genuine possibilities while Belmont retain their high ambitions after so many near misses in recent years. You would normally expect Belmont to win this with a bit to spare but the gap is narrowing between Tullamore and everyone else in the championship. It will tell us a lot about Belmont and the possibility of an upset is present in this one.
Verdict – Tullamore.
Shinrone v Ballinamere: Saturday, August 8 in Birr at 7pm
The glamour clash of the weekend is between the beaten 2025 and 2024 finalists in Birr on Saturday evening.
These two clubs are joint second favourites behind Kilcormac-Killoughey and desperate for success. Ballinamere never really ignited last year but have made a solid start with wins over Lusmagh and Tullamore. They really need to beat one of Shinrone and Belmont to keep their momentum going and this one is a big test for them.
There is pressure on Shinrone after Tullamore shocked them in the first round and a second defeat would place them on very precarious ground. It is a 50-50 game but Shinrone's need is that bit stronger and that could make a difference – the loss of injured Ballinamere duo Dan Bourke and Kevin McDermott further loads the dice in Shinrone's favour while Jack Fogarty could only come on as a half time sub in Durrow's senior football loss to Ballycommon on Sunday.
Verdict – Shinrone.
Senior “B” Hurling Championship
As expected, favourites Seir Kieran have moved into pole position in the Senior “B” Hurling Championship with two wins from their two games.
The top four qualify for the semi-finals in this six team championship and it is all very conjested behind them with Kilcormac-Killoughey on three points, Clodiagh Gaels and Clara on two, Carrig-Riverstown on one and last year's intermediate champions, Drumcullen pointless.
Seir Kieran will almost certainly make it through while Drumcullen already have the odds stacked against them but there is enough games left for them to turn things around. It does look like the other three semi-finalists will come out of Kilcormac-Killoughey, Clodiagh Gaels, Clara and Carrig-Riverstown and there is some very good games in store.
Round 3 fixtures are:
Kilcormac-Killoughey v Clara: Friday, August 7 in Ballinamere 7pm
Verdict – Kilcormac-Killoughey.
Clodiagh Gaels v Seir Kieran: Saturday, August 8 in Kinnitty 3pm
Verdict – Seir Kieran.
Carrig-Riverstown v Drumcullen: Saturday, August 8 in Crinkle 4pm
Verdict – Carrig-Riverstown.