Offaly Hurling Championships 2015

[llkj]

Is everything alright Plain? Your post seemed to be nitpicky in the extreme. If neutral umpires and linesmen are the height of our concerns with the fixtures then I'd say that the fixtures people have done a really good job this week.

[Plain of the Herbs]

Not sure what you mean by your question there, and I'll opt to ignore it.

Here's the thing. Not sure if this is a bye-law or a guideline or whatever, but the referees provide the umpires and the host club provide linesmen. Which is why referees are appointed to linesmen in OCP as that venue isn't a club, it's the County's ground. And sometimes the fella who directs you to your car park space might be the same fella who does linesman for the match. On Sunday, Shinrone are playing Birr at Birr. Who's gonna do linesman?

And while many referees bring umpires with them, some don't, and some might be under pressure for manpower on occasions (it might take 10 phone calls to recruit four umpires), and hope to recruit a few lads from the host club. Which is fine until the host club are also playing in the match. And having two umpires from each club, and perhaps no linesmen might be great gas to some, it's all very well until there's a dispute.

Some of us like to point out such issues before they arise. For which I make no apologies.

Is everything alright Plain? Your post seemed to be nitpicky in the extreme. If neutral umpires and linesmen are the height of our concerns with the fixtures then I'd say that the fixtures people have done a really good job this week.

[shannonbanks14]

Championship straight shoot out Rynas v Kk, end of story. Both tippin along in 3rd gear. Other teams simply just don't have the material. Standard shockin over last couple of weeks.

[allstar2010]

Championship straight shoot out Rynas v Kk, end of story. Both tippin along in 3rd gear. Other teams simply just don't have the material. Standard shockin over last couple of weeks.

Think it's between KK and Coolderry, rynaghs simply not good enough... End of story

[shannonbanks14]

Would like to agree cderry a force but not without parlon who a serious club player on his day plus they no bench. Rynas and Kk the best squads, beatin teams handy enough minus lot of players at minute.

[townman]

k/k to win it again don't think Rynaghs are any better than last year, where K/K have Kiely and maybe Dylan Murray to add to the side, Rynaghs still playing the hand pass game and are not scoring enough .

[shannonbanks14]

Kiely played last yr. If Conor Mahon gone he be a massive loss to dem. He prob their main man.

[SearingDrive]

A round of hurling matches played over the weekend in all grades. No results on today's Independent.

[Plain of the Herbs]

On Friday evening, Tullamore put Ballinamere away early on. Ballinamere afforded the Tullamore forwards way too much spaceCormac Martin, Shane Kelly, James Houlihan and Gareth Mann all picked off points, Kelly and Houlihan added goals, Shane Dooley took up a position around the halfway line where he made a number of interceptions and Tullamore led 2-15 to 0-10 by half time.

Ballinamere tightened up considerably in the second half. David Gillespie impressed at corner-back, Gerry Spollen came into it and the Tullamore forwards who looked so sharp in the first half were nowhere to be seen. Ballinamere really only had Paddy Murphy in attack, though they had the margin down to seven points for around a ten minute period when Shane Dooley’s shot for a point dropped into the net. Murphy, who seemed reluctant to strike off his right side during the early stages scored three of his four points from play off his right.

Ballinamere need to beat Belmont by 21 points if they are to advance to the quarter-final. Not gonna happen.


The first half of Birr v Shinrone had a pace and an intensity about it. Hurling with the wind, Birr were always in front and Brendan Murphy’s goal put them six points in front for a short while. Then Seán Cleary scored a stunning goal at the far end and (precision pass, powerful run, bullet of a finish) and Shinrone were well placed when 1-6 to 1-10 in arrears at half-time.

Birr meant business after the resumption, Shinrone couldn't live with them and the pace and intensity of the first half was not replicated. Paul Cleary, who had a towering first half at full-back, took up position at centre half-back and snuffed out Seán Cleary’s threat. Either side of him, Brian Watkins and Seán Ryan were on top, and Eoin Hayes did well at full-back Birr scored four of the first five points of the half, and when Emmet Nolan nipped in to finish an up-and-under to the net, Birr led something like 2-12 to 1-7. Dónal Morkan scrambled a goal but Shinrone were outfought in too many sectors. It looks like they’ll face St Rynagh’s in the quarter-final and then that will be that.

[private joker]

Does anyone have any information on the teams in relegation and if there is relegation in senior and intermediate grades?

[Buttons]

If Ballinamere beat Belmont and Tullamore beat Seir Kieran then Ballinamere and Belmont both have 4 points so Ballinamere should go through to QFS then on head to head.

[Plain of the Herbs]

On current form, and potential, and likely quarter-final parings, is it too early to suggest that the four Senior semi-finalists will be Kilcormac-Killoughey, Coolderry, St Rynagh's and Birr?

Three of the four Intermediate quarter-finals take place this weekend. 2014 quarter-finalists Lusmagh attempt to go a step further this year when they take on Crinkill in Banagher at 3pm on Saturday. Later, at 4.30pm, Offaly's two newest clubs meet when group winners Clodiagh Gaels and Ballyskenagh-Killavilla face each other for the first time. CG ensured they topped their group with a big win over Crinkill last Sunday. Their young team would probably prefer a bigger pitch than Kilcormac. Hard to know what to make of B-K after seeing them last Sunday - they were outscored 2-2 to 0-14 in the second half by Lusmagh and with both sides reduced to 14 men for that second half (both played with 6 defenders and five forwards) B-K were unable to make the space in attack and were exposed down the flanks in defence - maybe Gaels will advance. On Sunday championship favourites Drumcullen face neighbours Birr. Drumcullen have been doing well of late despite lining out without several leaders. They'll advance here, and in all likelihood will win promotion next month.

[Plain of the Herbs]

A job well done by Lusmagh. Crinkill were poor, as expected, but Lusmagh turned on the style and the flair. The Reds had scored 0-7 before Crinkill raised a flag and ran out 0-27 to 0-13 winners.

Clodiagh Gaels v Ballyskenagh-Killavilla sounds like a real belter. I wasn't there but apparently they were level at the end of 60 minutes, 0-19 to 3-10, with Gaels opening up a ten point lead during extra time and B-K scoring a late goal to give CG a 1-28 to 4-12 win aet. Interesting what a 'rebranding' will do for club spirit, as it has in the case of the reunited clubs.

[Killeighman]

CG and B/K was a cracking game. Nip and tuck the whole way. The youth won out for CG in the extra time with more in the legs. It would have been a mighty game to watch from a neutrals point of view.

[allstar2010]

Fair play to Clodiagh Gaels, they all seem to be pulling together and I'd imagine they now fancy their chances of moving up to senior. Intermed champ seems fairly competitive with anyone of lusmagh, drumcullen and clodiagh Gaels capable of winning it.