SHC group stages continues . . .

[Plain of the Herbs]

The placings in both groups look to be taking shape with only two rounds played.

In group 1, it looks like Kinnitty and St. Rynagh’s will take the two automatic quarter final slots, with Shamrocks and Kilcormac coming third and fourth while Shinrone and Ballyskenagh look set to finish fifth and bottom respectively. Previously, Kinnitty had beaten ‘Skenagh and ’Rynagh’s while ’Rynagh’s themselves beat K/K in the opening round. K/K’s draw with Shamrocks will turn out to be a point dropped as, even if they did beat Kinnitty, the likely wins for ’Rynagh’s in their remaining matches will see the Shannonsiders through. If there is to be a surprise result in the remainder of the series, watch out for Shamrocks and Kinnitty.

Birr will go unbeaten in the other group, while wins for Coolderry over Clareen, Tullamore and Belmont will see them claim the other quarter final spot. The positions of the other four are not as clearcut. Tullamore have only two draws so far, and still have Birr and Coolderry to face, so they’d be favourites to finish bottom. The matches between Clareen and Lusmagh, and Belmont v Tullamore will clarify the situation, though Belmont’s win over Clareen gives them the upperhand in the race for third spot.

With the current ‘Kilkenny’ system, the teams who finish third and fourth in this group will probably face Shamrocks and K/K for a place in a quarter-final while the team who finishes below them in fifth place will in all likelihood face Ballyskenagh and while there’s a risk of relegation for the losers, the winners will progress to the quarter-final. A flaw in the system.

So to this week’s fare. Kilcormac v Kinnitty looks to be the tie of the round on Wednesday evening. Both are missing hurlers currently in the US, though Colm Coughlan is a bigger loss to Kinnitty than Currams is to Kilcormac. K/K bumbled and stuttered in the earlier rounds as their new management attempted to reinvent the wheel, placing Kevin Grogan in attack raising most eyebrows. K/K will enjoy a big height advantage and have the ball-winning artillery to make it count. Whether they will or not is another matter, and they might benefit more if it was Damien Kilmartin who was pucking out.

Kinnitty, though small, are no slouches in the air, James Rigney being particularly adept under the dropping ball, and the kinnitty defence will put the K/K attack under huge pressure once the catcher comes to ground. Enda Grimes, too, is a good hurler and Kinnitty’s half back line usually do a good job of protecting their last line of defence. The Kinnittymen also have a good mixture of grunt and speed in attack. Andrew McRedmond must be due to return after his cruciate injury sustained about this time last year, which would give them another option in attack. Odhran Kealey is a potential match winner in attack and rightly earned a call-up for the county team recently. Kinnitty will hurl with plenty of assurance and belief which should see them through.

Coolderry’s joust with Clareen will be interesting, too. Coolderry will certainly have the speed to trouble Clareen who, while they have an extremely young team, aren’t blessed with anything above average pace. Michael Ryan and Kevin Connolly will certainly exploit this if they can get a decent supply. The Clareenmen need Eanna Murphy and Seán Coughlan to lead the defence, a big ask for a nineteen year old and an eighteen year old, though the pair might do well against Coolderry’s half forward line.

Kevin Brady and Joseph Bergin may well oppose each other. If they do, this is the clash that may well decide it, though Clareen will need James Mulrooney contributing more in terms of ball-winning. The Coolderry full back line is probably their strongest line, where the Corcorans usually do well. Watch out, too, for a Kevin Murray pointed line ball. Ken Hogan is a good coach and if he can’t get it out of them chances are it just isn’t there. A hesitant vote that Coolderry should prevail, but they mightn’t if Clareen are still in it entering the last ten and the younger of the Bergin brothers is producing the stuff.

Elsewhere, Shamrocks get the chance to work on the scoring difference when they take on Ballyskenagh.

Tullamore v Belmont is a repeat of a see-saw clash in Tullamore four years ago. Belmont did well to earn a hard-fought win over Clareen last time out, all the more remarkable as they were sans David Kenny. Kenny is back, and while he may well slot in at midfield opposing Shane Kelly (the blue’s best player against Lusmagh) with Jamie Flynn at centre back, he remains an option to plug any gap that needs filling in defence or attack.

Tullamore haven’t built on their run last year. Gearoid O’Grady is missed from the attack, and the defence is insecure. The tight Mucklagh pitch will cut down the space for the mobile Belmont forwards, but if Kenny, Flynn and Daly get quick ball to the Egans, Belmont will win.

Shinrone have never beaten St. Rynagh’s in the championship. Their minors did beat ’Rynagh’s recently, but there won’t be a senior – minor double and while ’Rynagh’s mightn’t be at full throttle, they’ll with a bit to spare.

Birr are missing a few bodies for their match with Lusmagh which will afford them the opportunity to have a look at some of the intermediate team, particularly in defence, and will win by what they like.

[black and red exile]

Superb analysis as usual Poth, I'm heading to watch KK and Kinnity myself, should be a cracker, interesting to see how Kinnity get on without their ace freetaker Colm Coughlan.

[kinnittyman]

Superb analysis as usual Poth, I'm heading to watch KK and Kinnity myself, should be a cracker, interesting to see how Kinnity get on without their ace freetaker Colm Coughlan.

[Plain of the Herbs]

The Clareen v Coolderry match fixed for Birr has been moved to Crinkill.

The Birr pitch must be in some state given the drying that's been out today and yesterday. I'd say t'will be some time before we attend a match there again and we'd better get used to travelling to Tullamore for hurling matches. Meanwhile, a gerneration of youngsters will grow up wondering what's behind that stone wall opposite the County Arms !!

[joe bloggs]

Birr were looking for permission last night at the county board to develop St. Brendans park as the secondary county ground in Offaly. Something that should be supported, however there is no point in installing terracing etc if they dont get the pitch sorted

[kinnittyman]

Superb analysis as usual Poth, I'm heading to watch KK and Kinnity myself, should be a cracker, interesting to see how Kinnity get on without their ace freetaker Colm Coughlan.

[Plain of the Herbs]

I'd say Ballyskenagh can't wait to get out of senior hurling after this. They were without Brendan Murphy (among others) and though they scored the first three points of the match, 2 goals in a minute, the first by Paddy Kelly, the second a Derek Molloy penalty) got Shamrocks back on track. 'Skenagh had 31 hurlers listed on the programme though there were a good few less than that on togged out.

Hard to know about Shamrocks after this. They're nifty but their first touch needs to improve and that will be difficult given the dual situation at the club. Thye also hit 17 wides. Nigel Dunne was the star of the show, scoring 1-7 (all bar one point from play) from all angles, though in fairness he was dealt a super supply of ball in space. Brian Kearney weighed in with 0-6 from play, Paddy Kelly 1-3.

Interesting to see Clareen beat Coolderry, and by 3-15 to 0-13 at that. Perhaps the Coolderry cupboard really is that bare! Anyone at it?

[black and red exile]

KK 2.13 KINNITY 2.8
A comfortable win for KK last night, they came out of the blocks quickly and led 0.6 to 0.1 after 15 mins and went in at half time 0.10 to 0.3 in front. Kinnity made a bit of a comeback in the first 15 mins of the second half and got within 2 points 0.11 to 1.6 when Odhran Kealey hit the net but almost immediatly Dan Kilmartin goaled for KK to put them back in the driving seat and a Brian Leonard penalty put the final nail in the Kinnity coffin, Stephen Molloy got a Kinnity's second goal in Injury time to put a better look on the scoreboard. KK were by far the hungrier team last night and probably wanted it more than Kinnity seeing that they only got one point from the first 2 games and even with Colm Coughlan missing there was no spark at all from Kinnity, as usual James Rigney was superb and did everything to try and stem the flow, Odhran Kealey despite a very quiet first half when he was well held by Alan McConville still scored 1.3 overall. For KK their half back line was majestic especially Peter Healion who was a rock all the way through and the Kinnity half forward line got no change here at all.
SCORERS, KK Brian Leonard 1.1[ PEN, FREE]
Dan Kilmartin 1.1
Colm Cassidy 0.3
James Gorman 0.2
Ciaran Slevin 0.2 [1 free]
Mark Leonard, Conor Mahon, Kevin Grogan and Joey Wynne 0.1 each.

KINNITY Odhran Kealey 1.3
Stephen Molloy 1.3 [3 frees]
Mark Robinson 0.1
Im missing one point for Kinnity.

[Plain of the Herbs]

The expected win for Birr though Lusmagh battled well and were only two points in arrears at half time, 0-9 to 0-7. Birr reeled off seven points in as many minutes at the start of the second half and a Sean Ryan goal made it 1-16 to 0-8. Sean Ryan scored a second goal five minutes later.

A hurling match isn't the same this year without a pointed line ball and it was Eoin Quinlan who obliged with a subline effort (well, they all are) on this occasion. Goalkeeper Eoin Kelly also chipped in with two pointed long range frees.

Birr were without Niall Claffey, Barry and Simon Whelahan and Gary Hanniffy who were replaced by Donal Ryan, Darragh Molloy, Brian Whelahan and Alan Hennessy. Lusmagh were severely depleted too, being without David Moran, Aidan Hanrahan and the Bermingham brothers, Kevin and Paul.

Elsewhere, Belmont beat Tullamore 2-15 to 0-17, leaving things tight at the bottom of that group where at this stage it looks like Lusmagh and Tullamore will fill the bottom two slots. Clareen's point dropped against Tullamore will handicap them in the race for second place and the autoomatic quarter-final slot where Coolderry's superior scoring difference (accumulated against Lusmagh and not unduly harmed against Birr) would see them hold on.

Scorers: Birr: Sean Ryan 2-3, Stephen Brown 0-5, Brian Whelahan 0-5 (3f), Rory Hanniffy 0-4, Paul Molloy 0-2, Darragh Molloy, Barry Harding & Paul O'Meara 0-1 each. Lusmagh: Gary Kelly 0-5 (frees), Eoin Kelly 0-2 (frees), Fintan Kelly 0-2, Eoin Quinlan 0-2 (0-1 line ball) & Paul Hogan 0-1.

[Treasurer]

Clareen's point dropped against Tullamore will handicap them in the race for second place and the autoomatic quarter-final slot where Coolderry's superior scoring difference (accumulated against Lusmagh and not unduly harmed against Birr) would see them hold on.
[/i]

Not so. New rule (hard to keep up I know) just introduced means the result between the two tied teams comes into play before scoring difference, which woudl put Clareen ahead of Coolderry.

[old yellar]

Anyone got a report on the belmont tullamore match, or who played well...

[Plain of the Herbs]

Round 4 this weekend.

The main talking point of this weekend’s fixtures is the choice of venues. Coolderry v Belmont is fixed for Birr and with the weather promised wet and windy for Tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, this match will surely be moved. Ballyskenagh v Kilcormac is fixed for Coolderry which has no facilities for spectators (not even a slightly raised embankment) who are separated from the pitch by a rope on one side and nothing at all on the other side. On a wet day those spectators can expect to stand ankle-deep in water. Given that we are well into probably the wettest year on record (and there have some been horrendously wet ones down the years) surely preference should be given to the dryer pitches in the county.

Shamrocks V St Rynagh’s
The main talking point here is the choice of venue with the Banagher faithful expected to travel through Mucklagh (roadworks and all) to get to this.
Nigel Dunne was in scintillating form at full forward last time out, but will hardly receive the same service. ’Rynaghs pulled through as you would expect against Shinrone and the tighter match will stand to them in much better stead than Shamrocks’ stroll against hapless Ballyskenagh will. Expect ‘Rynagh’s to pull through here.

Coolderry v Belmont
The tie of the round where the winners will be in pole position to finish second to Birr and claim the second automatic quarter final slot.
Belmont will depend on their quick full forward line but the Coolderry full back line of Brendan O’Meara and the two Corcorans is, after Birr’s, best suited to counteracting the Egans. If Kevin Brady can get the better of John Ryan, and he should, that leaved Colin Egan to shoulder the task of ball-winning on his own.
At the other end, the pace of Michael Ryan and Kevin Connolly, given a decent supply, will be too much for the Belmont defence, which is not the quickest. Joe Brady’s return will be welcomed, too, where David Kenny might be required deeper in the defence.
I’d expect Coolderry to get back to winning ways here.

Ballyskenagh v Kilcormac/Killoughey.
K/K got back in the groove with an impressive win over Kinnitty and they’ll win this with a bit to spare.

Shinrone v Kinnitty
Everything here depends on James Rigney’s availability following his injury against K/K last time out. Basically if Rigney is out Kinnitty can forget about it, and mountain prospects of an automatic quarter final spot is gone with him.
If Rigney plays Kinnitty should have enough even without Colm Coughlan who, while an important cog isn’t THAT crucial that his absence means a complete meltdown. Time, too, for Stephen Molloy to make a better fist of leading the attack. Odhran Kealey can clock up the scores as can the McRedmonds. That’s if their attitude is right, and it clearly wasn’t against Kilcormac last week.
Shinrone got to within two points of ‘Rynagh’s, doing alright but not having the belief to get themselves over the line. They’re a decent bunch of hurlers who don’t add up to a good team.
Verdict – is James Rigney playing or not?

Lusmagh v Clareen
In a strange way this has the potential to be the tie of the round, not least because of the family affair with so many cousins in opposition.
Clareen finally discovered something approaching their true potential with a fine win over Coolderry last time out. They don’t have much pace though, and neither do Lusmagh so no-one will have a distinct advantage here.
Lusmagh while severely depleted, with only eighteen fit hurlers togged out against Birr last week, have steadied up their slide. Clareen can blow hot and cold. Clareen should win this, demonstrating their championship potential, but there’s the potential for an upset here if Lusmagh bring enough belief with them. Lusmagh . . . just.

Birr v Tullamore
Their first meeting since Tullamore’s first round win last year. Tullamore haven’t built on this at all, if anything they have gone back quite a bit.
Birr, with Rory Hanniffy, Dylan Hayden, Stephen Brown and Sean Ryan to the fore should win with a bit to spare.

[bracknaghboy]

SHC group stages continues....and continues.....and continues....and continues....and continues.......its like the never ending story

[Plain of the Herbs]

Yep, and it's difficult to see it ending before the clocks go back . . .

SHC group stages continues....and continues.....and continues....and continues....and continues.......its like the never ending story

[Lone Shark]

SHC group stages continues....and continues.....and continues....and continues....and continues.......its like the never ending story

In fairness, let's at least wait until the season is over before judging - plus it would also do no harm to get the views of the players themselves before judging. It feels like a league competition to me to, but it's the players who are best positioned to judge whether or not it's genuine championship hurling or not.


Good preview POTH by the way. I'd be interested to know about Rigney too - 9/2 about Shinrone is a very big price if he doesn't play.