Busy weekend for Offaly camogie clubs
IT will be a busy weekend for Offaly camogie clubs with several big games down for decision.
On Saturday, September 28, the senior “B” semi-finals are in Birr with Naomh Brid meeting Lusmagh-Drumcullen at 3pm and St Rynagh's taking on Tullamore at 5pm.
The senior semi-final are in Birr on Sunday with Kilcormac-Killoughey taking on St Cillian's at 2pm and Birr meeting Shinrone at 4pm.
Remarkably this weekend's 4 semi finals are a repeat of the last round of fixtures in the group stages of this year's Championship.
Champions Birr who are looking for 3 titles in a row have not had things their own way this year, including losing to Shinrone by 2 points in their last outing. Last year's beaten finalists St Cillian's, certainly are the form team in the county and are unbeaten in the Championship to date. They had a comfortable win against Kilcormac/Killoughey last time out but they won't be taking their opponents lightly on Sunday, who themselves have had a good year so far when they won the Division 1 League title and have continued that form into the Championship and were unbeaten until last time out.
In the B Semi Finals, the first match sees Naomh Brid take on Lusmagh/Drumcullen. Naomh Brid picked up their second win of the Championship last time round but Lusmagh/Drumcullen will feel they have a good chance at overturning the three point deficit from that game when they line out on Saturday. In the second semi final, Tullamore take on St Rynagh's and Tullamore will surely feel confident going into this one with their opponents finishing bottom of the group in the Championship without a win in any of their five matches.
The semi finals must have a result of the day with extra time being played if necessary so we will know the finalists in this years deciders come Sunday evening.
The intermediate final between St Sinchill's and Kinnitty is in Crinkill on Sunday at 12 noon.
The clash of St Sinchill's and Kinnitty in this year's Grant Heating Intermediate Championship Final is a repeat of the 2022 decider when St Sinchill's took the spoils winning by a goal when the final score reading 2-9 to 1-9. Kinnitty will no doubt be looking to go one step further and take the scalp of their rivals.
It's a difficult period for both clubs with both going through a period of transition and this has been evident with the results from both the league and cup campaigns. St Sinchill's were relegated from the senior ranks last year and will be looking to make a quick return with a win on Sunday. Kinnitty qualified for this year's decider when they overcame Belmont in the semi final, winning by 3-13 to 3-5
Throw in in Crinkill will be at 12.00 noon and tickets can be bought via the Offaly Camogie website.