Offaly Hurling Championships 2015

[Toxicity234]

Kinnitty V Shamrock. Kinnitty are a little unlucky to be in the Relegation Semi Final again. They ran everyone they play close. Shamrock I haven’t seen them play this year but from reports Kinnitty will have a bit too much for them.

Coolderry Vs Tullamore. Coolderry had a great win last day out against Kilcormac Killoughey and played some nice hurling. Tullamore have been gone Ok so far without setting the world on fire. Over the last few year Coolderry have been vulnerable at quarter final stage. I think Coolderry will take this by 6 or so.

ST RYNAGH'S HURLING CLUB V SHINRONE. An interesting game. I was at the group game last year between these two and it was a bad tempered game with 3 send off. No doubt Shinrone has some excellent hurlers but Rynaghs will have too much power from them. If a hurling match break out Shinrone would have a great chance here but to me Rynaghs will win this by 4 or more.

BALLINAMERE V BROSNA GALES. I saw Ballinamere play Rynaghs and they were terrible. Haven’t seen Brosna Gales play this year but from last year I expect they haven’t improved much. Ballinamere last game will mean they in a better frame of mind from this game. So I expect Ballinamere to come through.

BELMONT GAA V KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY. I think everone expect Kilcormac/Killoughey to win this but if they leave Belmont in the game like they did with Shinrone and a few other, Belmont will have a chance. Kilcormac- Killoughey to win but not by as much as people think.

SEIR KIERAN V BIRR. This should be a pure hurling match as both team don’t use the physical power god gave to them. The loss of Paul Cleary is a huge one for Birr. You have to wonder how fit Joe Bergin is after breaking a fingar a month or so ago. Billy Dooley walking away for Kierans is a huge statement of where the club is and the players will be a mission to prove a point. Kirwan Birr set up look better than I’ve seen for the club for a number of year. Hanniffy in the forward has the natural tallent to turn a game in a second. I going for a draw in this game.

Intermadiate Hurling Final CLODIAGH GAELS V LUSMAGH GAA. I thnik this will be a good game. Clodiagh were a bit luck to beat Drumcullen. Lusmagh let Kilcormac Killoughey take a good lead before winning. Clodiagh Gaels will bring a good crowd with them. Separating these teams will be like tossing a coin. I think Lusmagh will win by a point.

Looking forward to going to as many game as possible this weekend.

[Plain of the Herbs]

Belmont’s fifth time to contest a quarter-final, and their third time to face Kilcormac-Killoughey at this stage. K-K won both the 2012 and 2013 quarter-finals.

Kilcormac-Klloughey’s tenth successive quarter-final, the last time they missed one was 2005 when they lost out to both Ballyskenagh and St Rynagh’s in a three way play-off.

Coolderry and Tullamore haven’t met in the championship since the 2010 County Final.

Tullamore haven’t beaten Coolderry in Senior championship hurling since the 1964 semi-final

Birr were beaten by Seir Kieran in last year’s quarter-final, but prior to that Birr hadn’t lost to Clareen men in 10 matches since the 1995 semi-final.

Seir Kieran are appearing in their sixth successive quarter-final – they won the last two but lost the previous four.

Shinrone are in their 10th quarter-final in 11 years. They one they missed was 2007 when they Shamrocks ended their interest. They’ve only won two of those ten quarter-finals though.

St Rynagh’s are one better than Shinrone – they’ve been in 11 of the last 12 quarter-finals, missing out in 2008 when Kilcormac beat them in Kinnitty. They’ve gone on to reach the final in six of those 11 quarter-finals.

[Toxicity234]

The kinnitty shamrock game is moved to kinnitty at 5 tomorrow

[shannonbanks14]

Fair play to all teams in q finals, great effort in poor conditions. Much better buzz in birr today than ocp yest. which you would expect. Rynas played best stuff of the 4 through. Conneely in great form. Be great for Rynas and Birr if other two drawn together and get to knock each other out again like last yr. Be great to have semis in Birr to.

[townman]

two tight games at the end in Birr today with k/k getting a soft pen to see off Belmont in the end, the second game Birr were 10 points up in the second half and went to sleep Seir Kierans hit them for two goals and had a last minute pen saved by Mullins in the Birr goals to win it. you would still fancy k/k to hang on to their crown in 2015.

[kingscounty]

Over 2600 hurling fans in OCP today for the Junior A and intermediate final. Clara were deserving winners of the junior A with a man of the match performance from Barry Cushen at midfield who was a tower of strength for Clara . The second game was over after 20 mins . Lusmagh showed their experience and hurled Clodiagh Gaels off the pitch in every position . Alan Kelly was solid at full back , Gardiner and Quinlan dominated midfield . Paul Kinsella was the a thorn in Gaels all day and took some great scores , along with Lynch at full forward who got on a world of ball and Eimhin Kelly completed Lusmagh full forward line between the 3 of them they opened Gaels full back line apart. 3-22 to 0-07 points is a big beaten for CG to bounce back for next year and they are lacking good players in crucial positions . Liam Langton was CG best player on show , hard for CG but credit is due for reaching Final on first attempt , you have to lose a final before you win one so onwards and upwards for CG.

[Toxicity234]

Busy weekend. So only got to 5 games.
Coolderry Vs Tullamore was poor enough. Coolderry were good but not great. Tullamore did well in the 1st 20 mins but after that there half back line disappeared. Joe Brady at centre back controlled the game. a game with little intense hurling.

St. Rynagh vs Shinrone. Rynagh's should have been out the gate after 20 mins. they blow away Shinrone in the 1st 10 mins but they stopped hurling after about 14 mins and started send balls into the corner for Rafferty to run out to. Rafferty has a lots of strength but running out into a corner vs Micheal Cleary isn't one of them. At half time they swapped Ben Conneely and Rafferty and Ben had a excellent game. there was some lovely scores in this game from both sides. Shinrone problems are still the same. Physical no stopping power but some nice hurlers all over the field. Stephen Wynne was man of the match just outstanding at centre forward.

Kilcormac/Killoughey Vs Belmont. Belmont roared out of the blocks in this game and were 1-2 up after a few mins. Kilcormac/Killoughey without Connor Mahon and without Currams. so they moved Enda Grogan to wing back and Kevin Grogan to Centre forward could well have been in trouble but they slowly work themselves into the game and while never putting light between themselves and belmont did enough to win. Belmont were excellent tough and physical. Kilcormac/Killoughey will be happy to get out of this game.

Birr vs Seir Keiran. Birr were excellent for most of this game. Brendan Murphy scored some great points. Seir Keiran were just shocking. Clueless for most of the match. how they were still in the game after been 10 points down was down to Birr falling asleep. If Seir Keiran had won this game Birr would have only themselves to blame. The Penalty at the end was a great save for Mullins but a really poor penalty from Bergin. to high and not in a corner.
Really frustrated with the Treatment of Joe Bergin after the pen. Aaron Whelehan should have got red it was a dangerous tackle. (as should have Stephen Hynes for a strick in the 1st half) But Bergin was out cooled for over 120 seconds. he got up and went into the edge of the square for the free. if that ball had drop in on top of him and he had got a 2nd belt to head.
If it had been a Kilcormac Killoughey or Drumcullen lad that had committed these offence this site would be in uproar.

Clodiagh Gales vs Lusmagh. Lusmagh were outstanding. Sean Gardinar was super. Clodiagh nerves got the best of them as well. They were in quick sand. On mistake lead to another and it spread all over the team but in fairness to them its was they 1st year together and they hadn't been together as long as other club and they year could launch them into been a huge club in offaly over the next 20 years. Lusmagh will be looking at a Junior lenister and think its ours for the taking and so they should. an excellent team and look forward to see them later in the year.

[SearingDrive]

Busy weekend. So only got to 5 games.
Coolderry Vs Tullamore was poor enough. Coolderry were good but not great. Tullamore did well in the 1st 20 mins but after that there half back line disappeared. Joe Brady at centre back controlled the game. a game with little intense hurling.

St. Rynagh vs Shinrone. Rynagh's should have been out the gate after 20 mins. they blow away Shinrone in the 1st 10 mins but they stopped hurling after about 14 mins and started send balls into the corner for Rafferty to run out to. Rafferty has a lots of strength but running out into a corner vs Micheal Cleary isn't one of them. At half time they swapped Ben Conneely and Rafferty and Ben had a excellent game. there was some lovely scores in this game from both sides. Shinrone problems are still the same. Physical no stopping power but some nice hurlers all over the field. Stephen Wynne was man of the match just outstanding at centre forward.

Kilcormac/Killoughey Vs Belmont. Belmont roared out of the blocks in this game and were 1-2 up after a few mins. Kilcormac/Killoughey without Connor Mahon and without Currams. so they moved Enda Grogan to wing back and Kevin Grogan to Centre forward could well have been in trouble but they slowly work themselves into the game and while never putting light between themselves and belmont did enough to win. Belmont were excellent tough and physical. Kilcormac/Killoughey will be happy to get out of this game.

Birr vs Seir Keiran. Birr were excellent for most of this game. Brendan Murphy scored some great points. Seir Keiran were just shocking. Clueless for most of the match. how they were still in the game after been 10 points down was down to Birr falling asleep. If Seir Keiran had won this game Birr would have only themselves to blame. The Penalty at the end was a great save for Mullins but a really poor penalty from Bergin. to high and not in a corner.
Really frustrated with the Treatment of Joe Bergin after the pen. Aaron Whelehan should have got red it was a dangerous tackle. (as should have Stephen Hynes for a strick in the 1st half) But Bergin was out cooled for over 120 seconds. he got up and went into the edge of the square for the free. if that ball had drop in on top of him and he had got a 2nd belt to head.
If it had been a Kilcormac Killoughey or Drumcullen lad that had committed these offence this site would be in uproar.

Clodiagh Gales vs Lusmagh. Lusmagh were outstanding. Sean Gardinar was super. Clodiagh nerves got the best of them as well. They were in quick sand. On mistake lead to another and it spread all over the team but in fairness to them its was they 1st year together and they hadn't been together as long as other club and they year could launch them into been a huge club in offaly over the next 20 years. Lusmagh will be looking at a Junior lenister and think its ours for the taking and so they should. an excellent team and look forward to see them later in the year.

Clodiagh Gaels were playing well for opening 20 minutes, but lost their way, missed scores, wrong options etc. Lusmagh deserved their win, took goal chances, and were on top at midfield.
Gaels are a young team, 5 or6 minors, and some older players. If they can learn from this, and develop their team, the Killeigh /Killurin combination will have a bright future. Great to reach final, and it justifies decision to amalgamate.
We have something to build on for the future.
Just on the crowd, the smaller clubs have very passionate followers who get behind their teams. Great atmosphere at HQ.

[Plain of the Herbs]

That was a sweet win, and it was wonderful to hear ‘The Lusmagh Fields So Green’ ring out around O’Connor Park last Sunday evening. It was one we could scarcely have dreamed possible when Lusmagh lost the 2013 Minor ‘B’ Final to CRC Gaels (a match that should have been won).

Indeed, the retention rate from that team has been phenomenal. Eight of them started last Sunday’s Final, while two more came on and two more were unavailable due to injury.

And given the age profile of this year’s Intermediate team, with just two starters over 25, I thought it might be too soon for them to make the step up to the bear pit that is Senior club hurling. But the semi-final win over Kilcormac-Killoughey convinced me they were ready. K-K were impressive in beating St Rynagh’s a week earlier and Lusmagh were 0-1 to 1-5 in arrears before they started hurling at all. No panic, they settled into the game, got some great ball into the corners and either picked off the scores or drew the frees. They are ready to compete at Senior

A team possessing hurling’s 4 Ss (skill, speed, style, stamina) in such abundance the way they do gives endless possibilities. There have been many mentors involved with them along the way but I want to mention Ray Flannery, the Banagher man who coached them in their formative years at Lusmagh NS. As time went on and they graduated to Banagher College, Francis Forde’s influence is evident – they rarely waste a ball, rarely are forced to drive a ball out of their own way, instead picking the passes out of defence before sending an angled ball to one of the inside forwards.

The Cúchulainn Gaels union with Kinnitty has proven to be a massive help, with lads going from playing CRC Gaels in a Minor ‘B’ final to taking on Kilcormac-Killoughey in an U21 final two years later. That was a final that might have gone the other way too.

After a number of barren years as regards contributing to Offaly underage teams, Lusmagh hurlers are back in the tricolour again. Last year, four lads (Darren & Shane Healy, Niall Duffy & Dónal Mahon) hurled together for Offaly Minors. Having four was unprecedented. Eimhin Kelly was an Offaly Minor this year, Paul Kinsella made a brief appearance with the U21s.

As for Sunday's team. There’s James Troy, of that great goalkeeping family, Darren Healy, a fine mix of gurrier and ball-player corner-back; Shane Healy with a most beautiful body swerve, Niall Duffy who was an underage full-back who improved when moved to half-back this year, Holycross native Shane Lanigan who began the year at midfield who had a great Final at corner-back, and Alan Kelly improved as the year went on and had a fine semi-final and final. At centre half-back was David Moran, the best reader of a game we’ve had but whose hurling career was interrupted by several knee breakdowns. Semi-retired, he started the year in goals (!) before moving out the field in August. As impressive as Lusmagh's attacking play was, the determination of the defence not to concede a goal would have drawn approval down Kilkenny way.

There’s Seán Gardiner, whose Offaly career might well be resurrected under Offaly’s new management. Seán bravely lined out in the semi-final only a week after burying his Mam following her sudden death, and on the opposite side of midfield was Eoin Quinlan who made his 50th Lusmagh appearance during the year, most of them at midfield.

The half-forward line consisted of the hardworking Leonard Ryan and Damien Kelly and the youthful flair of Caolan Kelly. But the jewels in the crown were in the full-forward line. Paul Kinsella, Graham Lynch and Eimhin Kelly epitomised those four Ss of skill, speed, style and stamina and between them scoring something like 3-10 from play. Lynch is also making a name for himself, lining out at scrum-half for Buccaneers

Hurling goes on, and next Sunday sees Cúchulainn Gaels return in the Minor ‘A’ quarter-final against Coolderry.

It’s tough on Clodiagh Gaels. They were ahead after around 15 minutes but once the first goal came, Lusmagh added an unanswered 1-8 in the 12 minutes before half-time. Gaels missed a few scoring chances, missed a scoreable free or two and were overwhelmed. Still, their run to the final should cement the brand that is ‘Clodiagh Gaels’ now. And there’s certainly scope to be the next Brosna Gaels. They can start by having a right go at the Minor ‘A’ championship and it would be great to see Cúchulainn Gaels meet Na Fíanna in the curtain raiser on Senior Final day.

[Plain of the Herbs]

I know scorelines don't really tell the story of a game but Na Fíanna's 3-19 to 3-15 Minor semi-final win sounds like a nailbiter all the way through. Tough on Birr to lose like that. Na Fíanna will line out in the Minor Final against the winners of next week's Cúchulainn Gaels v Ferbane-Belmont on County final day in three weeks time.

[suckindiesel]

am I missing something?

2 attractive looking semi finals on sunday and not a dicky bird from anyone on the likely outcomes? I plan on heading over rather than watching a couple of football borefests in portlaoise.

[shannonbanks14]

Yeh bit dead alrite. Puttin head on line goin for Rynaghs Coolderry final. Mahon big loss for kk, rynaghs had serious workout v gort last wkend. Conditions good which will suit, hopfully can bring A game and fingers crossed kk stay as flat as they have been all yr. Likewise for Birr Cleary big loss, Coolderry to prevail here.

[Plain of the Herbs]

Three of Sunday’s four semi-finalists will line out without a leader due to long term injury. So who can overcome the loss? Or can St Rynagh’s, the one team of the four who have a clean bill of health, reach a third County final in four years?

This time last year we looked forward to what we thought would be two classic semi-finalists. Instead we got two forgettable games. We can only hope for better this year.

Conor Mahon has proven, so far, to be irreplaceable, and managing that replacement is arguable the biggest test of Danny Owens’ management in his four years in the bainisteoir bib. Ciarán Slevin and Daniel Currams have did stints in the position. Slevin has hurled best at wing-forward and should be left there; Currams has frequently switched with Conor Mahon during the good days anyway, and would be a good fit.

Then for the quarter-final against Belmont K-K opted to break up their defence and play Kevin Grogan at centre half-forward. Whatever about moving forwards around, messing with their defence would be a very wrong thing to do. Grogan K, Healion P and Leonard B is one of the best half-back lines in Leinster, and they have built up an invaluable understanding. Also, they’ve tended to play Cillian Kiely close to goals in recent matches. Kiely, stronger, maturing, would make a massive contribution anywhere in the ‘middle eight’. Perhaps he’d be the man to lead the attack from 11, meaning minimal changes from their 2012 Leinster club campaign forward line.

Other hand, St Rynagh’s have been doing nicely. And quietly too, six straight wins unheralded while the attention swung to K-K who were breaking records. Their lineout is much more settled too. Clancy is everything you want in a goalkeeper, Wynne, Shortt and Maolney is everything Clancy wants in a full-back line. Garry Conneely’s best position is probably midfield but an extended run at centre half-back has seen him grow into the position. Conor Hernon shouldn’t have been left off for last year’s County Final, and will hardly be left off again, while Pat CAmon showed superb form and sublime skill against Shinrone. Seán Dolan returned from Stateside to put in a fine midfield shift against Shinrone. Aidan Treacy can make a bigger contribution outfield.

Francis Forde’s gameplan of stickpass – stickpass – stickpass fell asunder in last year’s County Final, and how St Rynagh’s modify this for the high intensity levels that K-K will offer in their tackling will be interesting. They will probably need Ger Rafferty’s heft to stop Ger Healion gaining possession and clearing. In the first half against Shinrone they vacated the corners and played the ball into the spaces for Rafferty to run into. Square peg, round hole. Ben Conneely’s introduction made the pegs fit. Unlike Shinrone, who were pulled out of position, the Kilcormac defenders (of whom Con Mahon continues to improve) will be more inclined to hold their positions and let the midfield (and, in turn, wing forwards) drop back to fill the gaps.

A very interesting contest in store, one which I expect will go the distance. Perhaps Rynagh’s, something like 1-18 to 1-16?


Coolderry can boast the finest six forwards in the county, and if Cathal Parlon was available they’d almost be favoured to win it out. That they don’t have him is one thing, and their inability to make a forward unit out of the sextet is another concern. Damien Murray and Eoin Ryan are rightly 15 and 13 respectively but Kevin Connolly, whatever else he is, is not a centre half-forward. The interesting contrast is that, under Ken Hogan, Barry Teehan played centre half-forward but lined out deeper – under Johnny Kelly, Connolly pushes further up. Brian Carroll might be a better fit on the half-forward line too where he has been deceptively good under a dropping ball. Who to put full-forward then? With thinks not going well during the first half against Tullamore, Kelly rejigged his forward line, following which they lost shape completely and they had to wait until the half-time break before regrouping.

In defence, Connolly and Burke have looked the part, Joe Brady does what Joe Brady does well – blocking off the centre – while Kevin Brady is sublime and ridiculous often in the same minute, and nobody rottweils like Trevor and Alan Corcoran.

As for Birr, I’ve only seen them once this year. That was against Shinrone, opposition who decided enough was enough at half-time and didn’t offer a contest in the second half. Paul Cleary was massive that evening, in every sense of the word, and to state the obvious is a huge loss. A big test for Eoin Hayes, but he has a top goalkeeper behind him to offer guidance. Dylan Hayden missed that one game I saw, and I am looking forward to seeing him line out at centre half-back. Emmet Nolan seems to have been lining out at full-forward and while that may be for good reason (and he nipped in for an opportunist goal against Shinrone) but a man of his skill and experience should be leading from further out the field (whether midfield of half-forward line).

I think Coolderry have sufficient forwards to overcome Cathal Parlon’s loss, while the loss of a defensive pillar to any team is incalculable. I expect Coolderry to progress, something like 1-18 to 1-14 or thereabouts.

[Rodgie]

First time to post on this forum lads. Looking at the semi finals on Sunday Id like to offer the following views.
KK v St Rynaghs.
I saw KK play both Belmont and Coolderry and Rynaghs play Shinrone over the the last few weeks. The chasing pack seem to be catching up on KK but they still remain the team to beat. Belmont played some excellent hurling against KK but as the game developed KK seemed to have the confidence and know how to prevail even when things weren't always going their way. As POTH says they have a strong half backline but Danny Owens will know they aren't that mobile when space is created around them or indeed if they are ran at. However they sit deep and protect their full backline and as a result are a very strong defensive unit. St Rynaghs had their Semi final wrapped up after 10 minutes when they blitzed Shinrone for 1:05 without reply but from there to the end Shinrone competed well and had a couple of really good goal chances at the end. The concern for Francis Forde would be, have they been tested sufficiently to meet the pressure KK will most certainly put them under. I think KK still have enough know how to just edge this one.
Birr v Coolderry.
Birr's hurling against Clareen was excellent for large parts of the game. They moved the ball quickly to a very pacey forward division and got some excellent scores early on from all distances including a couple of points by Watkins and Harding from out the country. Paddy Kirwan will be pleased with this but equally concerned about the second half fade out when Clareen despite losing Eanna Murphy before halftime almost won the game in injury time with a last minute penalty. Verney, Watkins, the relocated Ryan, and Harding are all in good form desite the loss of Paul Cleary. Coolderry seem to hurling away under the radar with a fitter team and a more workmanlike attitude this year. Without a number of players out through injury including Cathal Parlon and Kevin Teehan they have rotated their forward division with good effect to counter the loss of key players. Kevin Connolly was exceptional for such a small man from centre forward in their win over KK and it seems Johnny Kelly uses different approaches depending on the teams they meet. Both full forward lines are in good form so this could well be a very close encounter. Given that Coolderry have the greater number of injuries to overcome a hesitant vote to Birr.

[townman]

go for Birr K/K final.