Offaly Senior Championship Previews 4th/5th June

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Lone Shark
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Offaly Senior Championship Previews 4th/5th June

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Gracefield vs Clara
8pm Saturday, Tullamore

When the draw for this group was made, a lot of observers would have said that this game would determine the likely winner of this group, and establish a clear front runner in the race to dethrone Rhode as county champions. However the spring has not been very kind to either outfit, Gracefield losing a tempestuous contest to St. Brigid’s, and Clara losing 2003 player of the year Mark Daly to Lucan Sarsfields. The loser of this clash will certainly have their woes compounded, and may find that their summer of 2005 could be ending early.
Gracefield’s dependence on John O’Neill for scores was exposed last time out, as they could only register seven points in his absence. He remains absent due to his travels, and this loss is compounded by the likely absence of Bobby Fitzpatrick and Offaly minor John Knight. Niall Slattery had a tough day against Ken Casey last time out as well, and he’ll have a big responsibility, with Thomas Deehan his likely opponent here, while Ciaran Kiely will be relied on to both create and convert chances at the other end.
However due to the absence of O’Neill, Clara have to be heavily favoured here. The standard of football in their match with Doon was the highest on display during the first round of games, and while Mark Daly will be missed, Joe Quinn is continuing to mature into one of the finest midfielders in the county, and he should be able to exert his influence to good effect here.
Verdict: Clara

St. Brigid’s vs Doon
6.30pm Saturday, Mucklagh

These sides were very closely matched in their quarter final clash last year, and both have made very encouraging starts to this year as well. Indeed seeing as both clubs represent only a small part of their respective parishes, the similarities between the two clubs run very deep.
On the field however matters are very different. St. Brigid’s play a very tenacious and physical brand of football, with their scoring workload very much borne by David Egan, though county minor Ken Casey was a revelation last day out against Gracefield. However their game is built around the spine of the team, with Sean Casey, Enda Egan and James Carroll all very good players in key positions. They’ll look to keep the score down, and sneak a tight game.
Doon have a very different style to them, looking to move the ball all over the pitch with a variation of long and short passing, and anyone of their forwards can score – five of the starting six registered scores from play last time out against Clara. Chief among them is James Coughlan, who had a poor day out in Croke Park last Sunday, but will be glad to get back to his club to restore his confidence.They lost several key players to retirement over the winter, but the introduction of Aidan Holly has given them a new dimension around the middle, and with Damien Hunt pulling the strings from number eleven, they should run up the kind of total the Croghan side will struggle to match.
Verdict: Doon

Tullamore vs Ferbane
2pm Sunday, Tubber

First round losses have left both of these blue chip clubs in a do or die situation, and for this reason, this game in Tubber has the potential to be one of the most enthralling fixtures in the county over the bank holiday weekend. That said, fans looking for a high scoring fixture are probably best directed elsewhere, because if ever there was a game where a meagre tally like ten points was likely to prove enough, this is it.
On paper at least Tullamore should hold the edge. Between last year’s under 21 and Intermediate sides, they have a lot of fresh talent coming on board into the senior panel, the likes of which Ferbane can only look at and envy. However the transition is clearly still in progress, as their first round loss to Shamrocks illustrated how there are still a good few chinks in the town side’s armour. Players like Cathal Daly, Paul Buckley and James Keane can be depended on to both defend solidly and set a good platform on which to build attacks, so once again the onus is on the forwards to deliver on this.
Ferbane were widely commended for their good display against Rhode last time out, but looking on it was hard to shake the impression that Rhode were very much in second gear, and even still the scores were hard to come by. The absence of the Keenaghan brothers has hit hard, and even though David Lowry has been taking responsibility and performing well in the half forward line, Ferbane still look to easily contained to be considered favourites in this clash.
Verdict: Tullamore

Shamrocks vs Rhode
4.00pm Sunday, Geashill

Students of form will be watching this game closely, because it’s hard to imagine neither of these sides having a big say in the destination of the Dowling Cup. Indeed if these clubs were to be the two lining out in O’Connor Park on County Final day this observer would be far from surprised.
Shamrocks have been competitive without securing the ultimate prize for some time now, and it’s no secret what they bring to the table. They are physically powerful, fast, and defensively well drilled. However they still lack that prolific inside player who can be depended on to run up big numbers in every game, although Thomas Coughlan has been proving himself a difficult adversary in recent seasons.
Rhode were very much at half pace last time out against Ferbane, and although they never really looked like losing, it wasn’t the kind of performance that would be good enough to retain their crown. However two players who very much underperformed that day were county stars Alan McNamee and Paschal Kelleghan, and if their recent county form is anything to go by, they can be expected to play at a level much more reflective of their capabilities. The Sullivan brothers in the half back line share an aggressive forward running style, and although this can leave gaps, it can also draw players in a create the space that Niall McNamee and Paschal can thrive in inside.
Ultimately though this has the potential to be a close game, it’s hard to see Shamrocks scoring thirteen or fourteen points, and it’s hard to see Rhode scoring less than that. Shamrocks may not win here, but if they perform well and learn from it, the verdict may be different should the sides meet later in the summer.
Verdict: Rhode

Ballycumber vs Bracknagh
6.00pm Sunday, Capincur

Of all the games this weekend, it’s safe to say the clash in Capincur should have the smallest amount of neutral observers. With all due respect to both clubs, Bracknagh will have earmarked the clash with Erin Rovers later in the year as the relegation decider, and certainly they don’t look to have the wherewithal to secure any points either here or against Shannonbridge. Edenderry beat them very comfortably, and arguably Ballycumber are a better side again, so unless Rafael Benitez comes in to deliver a team talk along the lines of his half time speech in Istanbul, a similar one sided clash is on the cards here.
However spectators will have plenty to keep an eye on all the same. For Bracknagh, Frank Weir showed flashes last day out of his undoubted talent, and the first ever yellow card recipient in GAA history remains a highly watchable figure, capable of some great scores.
Ballycumber’s 2005 team so far has been showing the sides of an outfit capable of bridging a 37 year gap and securing the club’s second county title. In Ciarán Grennan, Adrian Kelly, Rory Guinan and Nigel Grennan they have four fine scoring forwards, and any team with Colm Quinn pulling the strings will not lack for thoughtful insightfult delivery into the forwards. They’ll consider themselves to have every chance this year, and rightly so. Tomorrow’s game will allow them another chance to get into championship rhythm, and if Bracknagh are within ten at the end it’ll constitute a minor surprise.

Verdict: Ballycumber

Shannonbridge vs Erin Rovers
6.00pm Sunday, Moystown

Shannonbridge have been huge underachievers in Offaly football since the turn of the century, and this has been exactly the type of game they’ve struggled in when it should represent a handy win for a club with the talent they have at their disposal. However they played very well in their first round draw with Edenderry, and can consider themselves lucky to only have drawn in that match. A win here would put them in a great position to secure a quarter final slot, and if they play as they did last time out, they should secure it.
As with so many of these club clashes, forwards look to be the difference. Shannonbridge in Jason Kelly, Fergal McEvoy and Donie Claffey have three players who have all featured for Offaly at various levels in the recent past, and all three constitute a real threat to opposing defences at club level. The Flannery’s have added a lot of pace and mobility around the middle of the field, and it’s hard to see Erin Rovers being able to compete with this varied threat.
For Erin Rovers to have any chance, they’ll have to keep the score low and hope to nick a goal or two somewhere. Paddy Lynam is a fine full back, and he’ll have a huge role to play to keep the opposition at bay. Richard Fox and Jeffrey Cuskelly are two very fit and mobile players around the middle, and they’ll have to temper their attacking instincts and track the runners coming from deep. If they can do this, Erin Rovers will look to Ian McLoughlin and minor star Alan Lynam to get the necessary scores. It’s a big ask, and one which should prove beyond them.

Verdict: Shannonbridge

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