Offaly Hurling Championships 2014

[Plain of the Herbs]

Some thoughts on this weekend’s quarter-finals

KILCORMAC-KILLOUGHEY V BALLINAMERE

There can be only one winner here, with the champions set to extend their winning streak (19 games now, a record) and their unbeaten record (21 games, still a bit off the record). Ciarán Slevin, Daniel Currams and Conor Mahon are all scoring too often. Ballinamere were not ten points inferior to Shinrone last time out, and while David Magner will get stuck into Currams, this is too big of a step up for last year’s Intermediate winners. K-K to cruise, something like 4-20 to 1-12.


BELMONT v ST RYNAGH’S

Again, I can see this going just the one way, with St Rynagh’s to advance. Yes, Belmont have beaten their neighbours across the canal twice in the last two years, but David Cox is a massive loss. Joe Maher caught the eye against Drumcullen and I felt he would make an impact here but gather there is some doubt about his participation.

Belmont still haven’t been playing well this year, and their win over Drumcullen last time out will remain 2014’s great mystery. Though still 3 points behind, you would have fancied Drumcullen to drive on after Conor Gath’s goal, but Belmont scored something like 9 points before Drumcullen scored again.

With a decent sized panel now that the emigrants are home from the USA, St Rynagh’s are going too well and should win with something to spare here. Something like 2-22 to 0-14.


COOLDERRY v SHINRONE

Not the draw Shinrone would have wanted, they have beaten neighbours Coolderry just twice ever in the SHC (1960 and 2000). Then again, these are the kind of matches where they need to make an impression if they are to make a serious breakthrough.

Coolderry’s forwards are in scoring form, and they have them in abundance. Brian Carroll and Kevin Connolly are scoring freely, Eoin Ryan showed signs of a return to form against Belmont. And against K-K they were back opening the scoring with a goal. Other hand, Cathal Parlon has scored just 1-5 in the championship so far, their half-forwards don’t win enough ball, and they are effectively working off a panel of 16.

Shinrone aren’t flush with sideline options themselves either. Still, Darren Crean is good at getting out in front (perhaps the best way to silence Eoin Ryan), and a half-back line of Conor Doughan, Michael Cleary and Shane McKelvey (or Joe Cleary, if he is fit to play) can win plenty of Coolderry puckout.

They depend on Seán Cleary in attack though, and while Cleary is hurling well, he is at a physical disadvantage directly opposing an tanc. The Corcorans should tie up the right side of the Shinrone attack, so Shinrone depend on Derek Morkan to score three points, win loads of ball, and cover for the defence as well. They seem to have played ‘Del’ on every line of the pitch so far this year, and I feel their countyman and leader is best deployed on the right side of midfield. How they cope with Kevin Brady on the other side of midfield is another problem.

Shinrone are not without hope here, but you couldn’t depend on them and a goal at any stage could kill them off. Coolderry to win, 2-18 to 0-15 or thereabouts.


BIRR v SEIR KIERAN

The one real ‘murder mystery’ of the weekend. First, the history bit. Clareen haven’t beaten Birr since the 1995 semi-final, Birr winning eight of the 11 SHC matches (three were drawn) between town and parish in the meantime. Still, they’ve met just three times in the last decade.

First thing to be considered – that half-forward line. Joseph Bergin will win his own ball; and score with it. Barry Bergin is hurling well and scoring this year; James Mulrooney likewise, and the latter’s contest with Seán Ryan (who shouldn’t hurl well at centre half-back, but is) will go a long way to deciding this quarter-final. Clareen have a goal threat on the inside too, though they need Tom Carroll to contribute a score more – he certainly has the potential.

Birr have stuttered – unconvincing against a poor Kinnitty team, winning a league Final (beating Clareen in the process) and losing to Tullamore (who themselves hadn’t beaten anyone else this year) does not inspire confidence. Leaving off three leaders for the craic against Tullamore was a misreading on the part of the manager of his own team and of the opposition The defence needs Paul Cleary to steady it, though Cleary is required to be the fulcrum of the attack. Eoghan Cahill is bright and breezy, but being opposed by the uber-consistent Dónal Coughlan is a big step up. Éanna Murphy won’t spare the timber either, and if he gets the better of Cleary then Birr are in bother. All that said, you’d at least expect Birr to be tuned in, which they weren’t against Shinrone or against Tullamore.

In recent years Coolderry and Kilcormac-Killoughey have made breakthroughs against Birr, matches that hinged on brief cameos. A Joe Brady fetch which led to Kevin Connolly’s goal; Killian Leonard’s amazing point. Clareen themselves might have made a breakthrough had Martin Walsh noticed Trevor Corcoran’s foul on Joe Bergin; instead, Coolderry drove on to reach Croke Park six months later. Three years on from that quarter-final that got away, Black and Amber stripes might have their day. 2-16 to 2-12 or thereabouts.


RELEGATION SEMI-FINALS

Kinnitty had a convincing win over Drumcullen at this stage last year. They might not win by as much here, but they will win nonetheless. Tullamore, with Shane Kelly hurling well all year, should account for Brosna Gaels.

[babsandbond]

BBM man do you just make up stuff or what?sean ryan,Rory Hannify and Paul cleary were out through injury and illness against tullamore..They were not left of for the Craic as you say...birr are struggling with form...but a few suprises are in store for the public when they see the birr team..I expect a birr win 5pts...Other than that kk,coolderry,banagher will also advance.

[kaiserchief]

I am going to win kk, belmount, birr and coolderry to advance.

Just have a feeling belmount are a bit under rated and at 3/1 are a good price to spring a shock.

[townman]

its hard to know which Birr side will turn up, they have been up and down all summer, but if they could get their best 15 on the field they will take beating always did. as for Clareen its now or never for this group of players they have been talked about for the last 4 or 5 years as been ones to watch but have came up short when it matters over the last few years.

Joe Bergin is the main go to man and has hurl great for clareen but the problem for clareen is that he has carried them on his own in big games the last few years and they have fell short, if a few more forwards step forward like Tommy Carroll, Hynes, Mulrooney, they will take beating. Clareen i think have more to lose than Birr in this one as they have been together a few years and not even a county final to show for it, so the pressure to get to clareen again and Birr to nick it by the odd point or two.

Kilcormac and Rynagh's i think will win their games well enough and Coolderry and Shinrone should be a tight one with Coolderry experience getting them over the line with offaly's best hurler this year Brian carroll been the differents.

[honey badger]

Kilcormac or Rynagh's to win it this year

[kingscounty]

Fair play to ballinamere this year they gave a great account of themselves and were well in the game today for long periods with KK pulling away at the end. I was very impressed with Paddy Murphy at centre forward thought he played very today for ballinamere . KK were shaky in the full back line at times and conceded two poor goals. The second game st. Rynaghs were always in control against a poor Belmont side who found it hard to score even tho they had an extra man for most of the game , Kenny got injured by a wild pull early on and was a huge loss . Rynaghs worked and fought harder and deserved their win.

[sam88885a]

kilcormac killoughey first through to semi with lots of work to do. yesterdays performance would not do in the semi final against any of the 5 other teams left.
they were without 4 first choice defenders and also t geraghty but ballinamere gave them lots of it . there is lots more in them and i feel we will see a different kk in the semi.
st rynagh were in control all the way in the second despite been down to 14 for most of the game . f foard has done a great job . they all working hard for each other and everyone seems to like him and want to hurl for him .i think st rynagh are improving all year and could be hard stoped.
today
birr v clareen will be tight but i think clareen will come through after a battle . billy dooley has done great work this year
experence against youth in the other game i think coolderry will win but only by a point or two

[kingscounty]

Was at the Junior A quarter final between Ballinamere and Edenderry today and by god the standard of referring was terrible poor. He sent Edenderry full forward off after 10 mins after he went to block the full back who then decided to roll around the ground like he was levelling the pitch and after this the game was dead and buried . There was defenders who were fouling all day but no cards shown and one player got a finger broke with a dirty strike and no card or warning . Clara beat Gracefield to progress and Clareen beat Kinnitty so all that is left is Killeigh v K/K next weekend , I will go for Killeigh to win that game by 3 or 4 points . Clara favourites now to win it but Id fancy Killeigh as a dark horse to come good in the knock out stages .

[Killeighman]

That Junior A game today was terrible dirty on Edenderrys part. Poor decision in sending off David Hanlon just before half time but the Edenderry corner back should have been sent off for the blatant strike on Alan Scullys head just before the end of the game. Ballinamere look very strong and will be hard beaten by K/K or Killeigh in the semi final.

[sam88885a]

coolderry v kk and clareen v st rynagh semi finals .
they cream has come to the top this year they 4 best teams reach the semi finals . i know birr will try claim there still in the top 4 but there in denial , birr have been in decline for a while and are in danger of falling behind shinrone soon . there has been too bullshite about where match are played and not enough work to stop the rot in birr .
they atmosphere was poor in birr today poor birr crowd most of them only came in for the birr match and left before they end. great hurling supporters? home of hurling?
i always think if the hurling is of a good standard supporter will come no matter where the games are . birr needs to work to promote hurling because p cleary r hanniffy b whelahan b mullins d hayden are not getting younger .e nolan and e cahill deserve better from birr .

[kaiserchief]

Totally agree with sam88885a. The best 4 hurling teams are left in it.
KK beat Ballinamere missing 4 or 5 key players and never looked like they where goin to loose.
I expected Kevin Martin to have Belmount is better form but they where the worst team of the weekend. First touch and passing was terrible and St.Rynaghs just had to do the simple things well to earn a handy victory. Connelly spoilt the day with stupid decision making and deserves to miss the semi final and final if they progress.
Shinrone gave Coolderry everything they had and basically Brian Carroll and clever play from a few older experienced players was the difference in the second half. Martin Corcoron took the bull by the horns when only leading by a point and drove Coolderry into the lead.
Birr where terrible all game but Clareen deserve credit for that. They came out of the blocks hard and fast and after 10 mins had a 7 point lead. Hynes gave an exhibition of high fielding all day. Its sad to see a club like Birr with such a history declining but something has to be done.

I heard ex Offaly referee Pat Horan say at the gate he never goes to matches in OCP and only goes to Birr and south Offaly out of principal. That is the bullshite that killing hurling in this county. They was as much atmosphere in Tullamore as there was in Birr over the weekend. People in Birr and other surrounding clubs have to face the facts that OCP is our county grouds and that is final.

[llkj]

Interesting to see that 3 of the 4 teams remaining came from the one group, however the 2 candidates for relegation also came from that same group.

Should be 2 very competitive semi finals. Coolderry dismissing Shinrone so comprehensively in the end was impressive. I wouldn't be too surprised if they do beat KK but i'll still go for KK and Clareen final.

Speaking of the relegation playoff, I would say that Brosna Gaels shipping a heavy beating to Tullamore does not not augur well for their chances in the 'final'. Tullamore do seem to have picked up the pieces in the latter half of the season, after they changed manager (beating Birr, drawing with Shinrone, and losing by only 2 to Rynaghs) so maybe BGaels shouldn't read too much into yesterday's result. However, relagation finals are usually about mindset and a reflection of the level of work that went in throughout the year. Drumcullen probably favourites to stay up, assuming that we don't have a Rynagh's intermediate victory!

[shannonbanks14]

Way more atmosphere in birr than ocp. The matches were dissapointing as Shinrone and Birr failed to show up. Birr shockin yest made Clareen look very good. Great draw for rynaghs gettin them in semi while kk and cderry horse each other out of it in other semi. Rynaghs on verge of a double starting nxt week end.

[townman]

Way more atmosphere in birr than ocp. The matches were dissapointing as Shinrone and Birr failed to show up. Birr shockin yest made Clareen look very good. Great draw for rynaghs gettin them in semi while kk and cderry horse each other out of it in other semi. Rynaghs on verge of a double starting nxt week end.

don't know about it been a good draw for Rynaghs Clareen were always a bogey team for Rynaghs

[Sharp Eye]

I heard ex Offaly referee Pat Horan say at the gate he never goes to matches in OCP and only goes to Birr and south Offaly out of principal. That is the bullshite that killing hurling in this county. They was as much atmosphere in Tullamore as there was in Birr over the weekend. People in Birr and other surrounding clubs have to face the facts that OCP is our county grouds and that is final.

Pat Horan is as you state "an ex-referee" and is now "a paying customer" at Offaly GAA Matches. Pat Horan is fully entitled to attend or not attend any match at any venue that he may wish to do so. Your response is typical of the Offaly County Board's attitude to its customers. If the Offaly Co Board had any interest in attracting people to games ("paying customers") they would not have fixed the Birr v Shinrone group hurling championship game in O'Connor Park, Tullamore. Some people are still surprised at the poor attendances at our games. In Business "THE CUSTOMER is ALWAYS RIGHT.