Offaly Senior Hurling Championship 2013

[Plain of the Herbs]

Birr v Drumcullen
On paper this should be a cakewalk for Birr. Yet, last year Birr beat Drumcullen by just two points. Which means Birr (who have found something of a run of form with wins over Clareen and Tullamore) will be forewarned. And Drumcullen, who last beat Birr in 1970, have some pride to restore following the recent Brosna Gaels defeat. Drumcullen to start well but be overtaken by Birr well before the finish.


Tullamore v Clareen
A big, big test for Clareen, who really need to win, if only to prove to themselves that they are going anywhere at all. And Clareen having to travel to Tullamore as tyey seem to have to do twice every year will have put them on the back foot. Bear in mind that Clareen have to cross into County Laois and back again to get to Tullamore.
Whether Shane Dooley is returned from holidays will be the big decider. And it’s ten years since Tullamore beat Clareen. Clareen showed enough positivity and intensity in the first half against Kilcormac to suggest they should pull through here.


St Rynagh’s v Belmont
Both teams make a particularly long trek – two miles further east and the match would be in Cappincur. Last year’s hammering should be a big motivation factor for ’Rynagh’s. That and the boost of that win over Coolderry. Belmont are stuttering – fair to middling against Kinnitty, regressed a bit on that form even in the period when they were on top in the first half against Lusmagh. Ger Rafferty's clash with David Kenny mightn't be quite worth a trip to Cappincur West, but it will go a long way to deciding this.


Kilcormac-Killoughey v Brosna Gaels
The difference a year makes – this time last year K-K beat Brosna Gaels by a couple of points. Kilcormac have moved on though and will win by what they like here.


Lusmagh v Shinrone
Both teams fell into early arrears in the previous round – Shinrone being behind to Kinnitty before turning the game around with 1-4 scored in as many minutes; Lusmagh going behind to Belmont then overtaking them before settling for a draw. All of which means both will seek to hit the Carrig ground running on Sunday. Only one will though.


Coolderry v Kinnitty
Kinnitty generally give Coolderry loads of it, and did so last year until a Coolderry goal three-quarters way through turned the game on its head. Kinnitty lack the leadership required to create an upset and really could do with Stephen Molloy participating fully. On the other side, Cathal Parlon must soon be due back from his broken hand/arm. Without him, Coolderry might vulnerable but having been caught by a late sucker punch late on against ’Rynagh’s, Coolderry will most likely hit the ground running and win well.

[JohnnyB]

It appears from the Offaly website that the Offaly SHC game between Belmont and St Rynaghs is fixed for O'Connor Park, Tullamore. Surely St Brendans Park Birr would be able to host the crowd for that one. Is this taking Health & Safety too far????
'

im just wondering is this the county boards way of easing us into o connor park after giving birr some mickey mouse games?

[JohnnyB]

Birr v Drumcullen
On paper this should be a cakewalk for Birr. Yet, last year Birr beat Drumcullen by just two points. Which means Birr (who have found something of a run of form with wins over Clareen and Tullamore) will be forewarned. And Drumcullen, who last beat Birr in 1970, have some pride to restore following the recent Brosna Gaels defeat. Drumcullen to start well but be overtaken by Birr well before the finish.


Tullamore v Clareen
A big, big test for Clareen, who really need to win, if only to prove to themselves that they are going anywhere at all. And Clareen having to travel to Tullamore as tyey seem to have to do twice every year will have put them on the back foot. Bear in mind that Clareen have to cross into County Laois and back again to get to Tullamore.
Whether Shane Dooley is returned from holidays will be the big decider. And it’s ten years since Tullamore beat Clareen. Clareen showed enough positivity and intensity in the first half against Kilcormac to suggest they should pull through here.


St Rynagh’s v Belmont
Both teams make a particularly long trek – two miles further east and the match would be in Cappincur. Last year’s hammering should be a big motivation factor for ’Rynagh’s. That and the boost of that win over Coolderry. Belmont are stuttering – fair to middling against Kinnitty, regressed a bit on that form even in the period when they were on top in the first half against Lusmagh. Ger Rafferty's clash with David Kenny mightn't be quite worth a trip to Cappincur West, but it will go a long way to deciding this.


Kilcormac-Killoughey v Brosna Gaels
The difference a year makes – this time last year K-K beat Brosna Gaels by a couple of points. Kilcormac have moved on though and will win by what they like here.


Lusmagh v Shinrone
Both teams fell into early arrears in the previous round – Shinrone being behind to Kinnitty before turning the game around with 1-4 scored in as many minutes; Lusmagh going behind to Belmont then overtaking them before settling for a draw. All of which means both will seek to hit the Carrig ground running on Sunday. Only one will though.


Coolderry v Kinnitty
Kinnitty generally give Coolderry loads of it, and did so last year until a Coolderry goal three-quarters way through turned the game on its head. Kinnitty lack the leadership required to create an upset and really could do with Stephen Molloy participating fully. On the other side, Cathal Parlon must soon be due back from his broken hand/arm. Without him, Coolderry might vulnerable but having been caught by a late sucker punch late on against ’Rynagh’s, Coolderry will most likely hit the ground running and win well.

it feels strange reading lonesharks column u are backing birr for once are you sick do u need assistance?

[KillougheyGoBragh]

Don't know if anyone attended the games yesterday evening but there were more 'upsets'
as Belmont repeated last year's feat and beat St Rynaghs and KK conceded their first goals in this years County Senior Hurling Championship to Brosna Gaels
who have hit the net on all occasions bar their Round 1 game against Seir Kieran.
Next round sees KK entertain Tullamore in Kilcormac on the 25th of August which is coinciding with the Official Opening of the Club House in Kilcormac, I'm led to believe!

[Plain of the Herbs]

I was at Lusmagh v Shinrone earlier today and at Coolderry v Kinnitty this evening.

Nothing to report from CArrig, other than I’ve seen about 4 different versions of the final score. I’ve got Shinrone 5-19 Lusmagh 0-16, the official county board site concurs, the scoreboard had 5-19 to 0-14, a reporter’s Twitter feed has 5-19 to 0-17 (Radio3’s Twitter feed agrees with that) and the GAAscores Twitter feed gives 5-19 to 0-15. Take your pick.

Shinrone got their first goal after 5 minutes when they were level 0-2 each, and their second from an 80 yard free half-way through the first half, again when they were level. Shinrone hit some horrendous wides in that first half, something akin to Kildare footballers, but outscored Lusmagh by six points to one in the period between the second goal and half-time. Over as a contest.

Shinrone worked the ball better in the second half and three passing moves yielded 3 goals during the third quarter. Shinrone led 5-13 to 0-10 after the third goal, going on to win 5-19 to 0-16.

Hard to know about Coolderry and Kinnitty. Kinnitty never looked like winning, but Coolderry never really opened up either. Kinnitty led 3 to 1 early on,, seven unanswered Coolderry points made it 8 to 3, Coolderry leading 10 to 7 at half-time. Kinnitty played with an extra defender in the first half (effectively utilising a pair of centre half-backs) and hit a fair share of ball straight to Alan Corcoran, who was Coolderry’s defender without somebody to mark.

Coolderry resumed with Kevin Brady as a second centre-back and I spent 30 minutes trying to find Kinnitty’s free man. Without success. Coolderry led 16 to 9 by the mid-point of the second half. Then with James Rigney playing like a mad man, four quick points left just three in it. Coolderry pulled away again to restore the six point lead and kinnitty’s goal came with the last play of the match.

Eoin Ryan appeared as a sub with ten minutes to go. Brendan O’meara lined out at full-back, with Trevor Corcoran at centre-back and Kevin Brady started at midfield. Joe Brady was in his street clothes and there was no sign of Cathal Parlon. They spent a considerable time in a huddle in the middle of the field after the match, Ken Hogan probably reminding them that this evening’s performance was, em, insufficient to retain the County title.

The match will be quickly forgotten by all present with one exception. Kevin O’Connor made a number of the most incredible saves, recovery and double saves.

[KillougheyGoBragh]

I was at Lusmagh v Shinrone earlier today and at Coolderry v Kinnitty this evening.
They spent a considerable time in a huddle in the middle of the field after the match, Ken Hogan probably reminding them that this evening’s performance was, em, insufficient to retain the County title.

ahem, pedantic I know but.....

[SearingDrive]

I was at Lusmagh v Shinrone earlier today and at Coolderry v Kinnitty this evening.
They spent a considerable time in a huddle in the middle of the field after the match, Ken Hogan probably reminding them that this evening’s performance was, em, insufficient to retain the County title.

ahem, pedantic I know but.....

Freudian slip, should read regain county title, KGB.

[Plain of the Herbs]

Birr won because they were better all aspects of hurling. That was evident even in the early stages when Drumcullen worked hardest. Birr's first blow came in the 7th minute when Barry Whelahan's long ball came off either Simon Whelahan or Dermot Gath and into the net. Damien Spain was doing well around the middle but for some reason was moved to the full-forward line and though a pair of Conor Gath frees made it 0-3 to 1-2, 5 Birr points in around 3 minutes killed the game off.

Birr lined out without Rory Hanniffy, Dylan Hayden and Michael Verney. Donal Ryan played at Corner-back, Conor O'Callaghan at full-back and they went on to lead 1-10 to 0-5 at half-time.

Harry Ryan did well in the second half though the highlight of the game was the seven points from play scored by Colm Mulrooney who seemingly couldn't miss even if he wanted to.

Birr may well reach the Final if the three absentees return for the knockout stages. They were more impressive than Coolderry were when I saw them lost to 'Rynagh's and beat Kinnitty. Kilcormac-Killoughey won't lose sleep over this evening though.

Scorers: Birr: Colm Mulrooney 0-7, Simon Whelahan 1-1, Seán T O'Connor 1-0, Michael Dwane (frees), Paul Cleary (1 free, 1 '65), Barry Whelahan and Paddy Mullins 0-2 each, Emmet Nolan and Stephen Lonergan 0-1 each.
Drumcullen: Conor Gath 0-6 (5 frees), Pádraic cAshin 0-2, Dónal Guinan, Ray Gath, Damien Spain, John Cashin, and Alan MAher 0-1 each.

[townman]

they might not lose sleep tonight is right but who know Birr or k/k might not
be even in the final.

[JohnnyB]

i thought birr hurled very well tonight few aspects to be worked on before gaels next weekend as always something to work on

today a birr team lacking alot of regulars in hannify hayden watkins harding and verney among others got a big win over drumcullen compared to last year when birr were lacking a few and struggled to overcome them

good result onwards and upwards

[JohnnyB]

taking away from the hurling on a side note does anyone else think this master fxture list is a joke?

last group game next weekend followed straight by championship

where is the logic in dat after a summer with 10/12 weeks of hurling absent between championship games that they have to stack them in together?

[townman]

i thought birr hurled very well tonight few aspects to be worked on before gaels next weekend as always something to work on

today a birr team lacking alot of regulars in hannify hayden watkins harding and verney among others got a big win over drumcullen compared to last year when birr were lacking a few and struggled to overcome them

good result onwards and upwards

didn't get to the game johnnyB but did the Wag Egan play cornerback last night, as you said alot missing
but a good result, as for last year there was only a puck of the ball in it at the end

[Plain of the Herbs]

Round 5 fixtures are up on the Board's site. They are -

Saturday evening the 24th at 6.45pm
Shinrone v Belmont in Birr
Lusmagh v Coolderry in Clareen
St Rynagh's v Kinnitty in Rath

Sunday evening the 25th at 6.30pm
Birr v Brosna Gaels in Moystown
Clareen v Drumcullen in Kinnitty
Kilcormac-Killoughey v Tullamore in Kilcormac

Intermediate Quarter-finals
Ballinamere v Killurin on Saturday in Tullamore at 5pm
St Rynagh's v Kilcormac-Killoughey in Rath on Saturday at 5.15pm
Ballyskenagh-Killavilla v Shinrone on Sunday in Kinnitty at 5pm

[Toxicity234]

Hi lads. I have being away for the last few weeks.
I was wondering if anyone had the teams and a bit of a match report from St. Rynaghs vs Belmont??
I saw belmont vs kinnitty the round before and though Rynagh would have a little to much firepower for them but they supriced me again.
thanks lads.

i see a match report on hogan stand.

Belmont's surprise 0-20 to 0-12 victory over St. Rynagh's was the result of the fourth round of the Offaly SHC last weekend.

County star Colin Egan and full forward Damien Egan posted 0-6 each as Belmont inflicted a first defeat on their neighbours. Despite this setback, Rynagh's remain top of Group 2 on scoring difference from Coolderry who, aided by 0-11 from Brian Carroll, defeated Kinnitty by 0-19 to 1-13. - See more at: http://www.hoganstand.com/Offaly/Articl ... 8x9iO.dpuf

Damien Egan with 6 point. was he on frees. he should have being on the Offaly Panel.

[puzzled]

Anyone else hearing any rumours about the Seir Kieran Tullamore game from 2 weeks ago? I've heard from a few different sources that Tullamore decided before the game that it would be in their best interests to finish 4th in group 1 and by doing that avoid Coolderry in the quarter final,as group 2 stands before the final round of games St.Rynaghs would top the group and play Tullamore in the quarter final. Now rumours like these are almost impossible to prove but if Tullamore management or players 'threw' the game it would be an absolute disgrace!