St Rynagh’s and Kilcormac-Killoughey cannot now contest two Offaly Senior Hurling Championship finals in the same year. Just months after contesting the 2020 decider – which was delayed into this summer due to Covid-19 – the reigning champions and their rivals will meet in the semi-final. Coolderry, who top the roll of honour in the Offaly SHC will meet Shinrone, who are still seeking their first ever title, in the other semi-final.
On a dramatic final day of group games, Birr may have thought they did enough to snatch fourth place in the group with a big win over St Rynagh’s. However, Shinrone also enjoyed a comfortable victory over Kinnitty and with Belmont and Ballinamere ending all-square, Shinrone would have progressed anyway due to the ‘head to head’ rule as they previously beat Birr.
As it transpired, Coolderry topped the group with eight points (+47) ahead of K-K also on eight points (+40) with St Rynagh’s third on eight points (+9), with Shinrone in fourth place with six points (+27).
Meanwhile, the semi-final pairings in the Senior B Hurling Championship are Tullamore v Clara and Clodiagh Gaels v Lusmagh. And the Intermediate semi-finals were won by Shamrocks and Birr.
Senior Hurling Championship Round 5 – Coolderry 0-20 Seir Kieran 1-15; Shinrone 4-19 Kinnitty 0-11; Birr 1-23 St Rynagh’s 0-13; Ballinamere 2-15 Belmont 1-18; Kilcormac-Killoughey 2-24 Drumcullen 0-10;
Senior B Hurling Championship Round 5 – Clodiagh Gaels 0-18 Kilcormac-Killoughey 0-18; Tullamore 1-20 Lusmagh 0-16; Shinrone 3-19 Clara 1-16;
Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Finals – Shamrocks 5-11 St Rynagh’s 2-10; Birr 0-25 Carrig & Riverstown 1-20;
Junior Hurling Championship – Ballinamere 2-11 Shamrocks 1-13; Tullamore 2-12 Kilcormac-Killoughey 1-13;
Junior B Hurling Championship Semi-Finals – Carrig & Riverstown 3-10 St Rynagh’s 1-09; Birr 2-13 Belmont 0-17.
By Offaly PRO Sun 24th Oct
