Offaly senior hurling championship resumes after shock opening round results
Surprise results in both groups have thrown Offaly championship wide open
AFTER a number of surprise results in the opening round of the Molloy Environmental Systems Offaly Senior Hurling Championship, a number of the contenders for the title will be looking to get back on track when the second round takes place this weekend.
Both of last year's finalists, Kilcormac/Killoughey and Shinrone, were among those who suffered shock defeats in the opening round and like the other defeated teams from that weekend, they will be looking over their shoulders from now on as they know that they can't afford any more slip ups or they could be facing an early exit from the championship.
It all adds an extra bit of spice to the championship and ensures that from here on there will lots to play for in every round and the battle for places in the knock out stages is likely to go down to the final round of games.
Champions Kilcormac/Killoughey's defeat to Coolderry was probably the standout result from the opening round but Tullamore's victory over Shinrone was equally surprising and it certainly threw everything wide open in both groups.
Along with Tullamore, Ballinamere were the other winners in Group 1 on the opening weekend and both of those teams come face to face in Ballinamere this weekend.
Belmont get their campaign up and running with a home game against Lusmagh and Shinrone will have to sit and wait another couple of weeks to get back in action as they have the bye this weekend.
In Group 2 Coolderry and St Rynagh's were the two winners on the first weekend and again they meet each other this weekend.
Kinnitty had the bye in the first round and have a tough opener aganst Kilcormac/Killoughey, while Birr have the bye in this round in Group 2.
Group 1
Belmont v Lusmagh. Saturday July 25 in Moystown at 2.30pm.
After sitting out the first round, Belmont will be chomping at the bit to get their campaign up and running, particularly with the home venue.
Belmont made the semi-finals once again last year but that place in the final eluded them once more as they went down to Shinrone. They have been knocking on the door for a number of years now and will be looking to make a positive start on Saturday to give them momentum going forward.
Lusmagh have made the step up to the top tier after winning the Senior B title last year. They hosted Ballinamere in their opening game at home but went down by double scores, 0-24 to 0-12. It won't get any easier for them here and it could be a tough campaign for them.
Lusmagh won't give away anything easily but it would be another big shock if the home side don't collect their first points here.
READ NEXT: Impressive Shamrocks run riot to leave stricken Edenderry with serious soul searching to do
Ballinamere v Tullamore, Sunday July 26th in Ballinamere at 12 noon
A local derby between two teams who made very good starts to the championship.
Tullamore's victory over Shinrone opened a lot of eyes and gives them a great boost at the start of their campaign. They will now be looking to push on and add another scalp to their tally.
After making the county final two years ago, Ballinamere were disappointed with their performance in last year's championship. They made a good start to the campaign with a good victory away to Lusmagh and will be keen to build on that. They have a lot of talent in their ranks and will be aiming to make a strong run for the title.
Tullamore showed the last day that they can't be taken for granted and they would love nothing btt than to turn over their neighbours.
The surprise element is gone from Tullamore now and with home advantage, Ballinamere will be expected to take a strong step towards the knock out stages with a second win.
Group 2
Kinnitty v Kilcormac/Killoughey, Thursday July 23rd in Kinnitty at 7.30pm.
Kinnitty had a bye in the opening round and couldn't have asked for a tougher start that hosting the champions, particularly a side which has suffered a shock defeat.
The sides met in Kilcormac in last year's championship and Kilcormac/Killoughey recorded a very big victory so Kinnitty will be well aware of the task that they face.
Kilcormac/Killoughey are down some regulars due to injury, but with the strength in depth in the club, they would still be fancied to beat most of the other teams. However, Coolderry showed the last day that they aren't invincible and Kinnitty might take some encouragement from that.
However, Kilcormac/Killoughey are going into this game as a wounded animal and that won't be good news for Kinnitty, who could face a long evening.
Coolderry v St Rynagh's, Saturday July 25 in Coolderry at 6.30pm.
Both teams will be going into this game in very positive frames of mind and this could be the game of the weekend.
Coolderry pulled off the biggest shock of the first round by beating Kilcormac/Killoughey in Kilcormac and will be really looking to make their mark this year now. They had a good run in the league and reached the final, so the form has been good.
St Rynagh's began their campaign with an impressive home victory over Birr and having missed the knockout stages last year are determined to make amends this year. Another win here would put them well on the way to achieving that goal.
If both teams repeat their form from the opening round, this could be a cracker and a hesitant vote goes to the home team to maintain their good start.