No big surprises in opening round of Offaly SFC “B”

THERE was no big surprises when the first round of the Tullamore Court Hotel Senior “B” Football Championship took place last weekend.

With nothing major at stake in the group stages as each club qualifies for quarter-finals irrespective of results, there wasn't much excitement in the games but some clubs still set down important markers.

In group 1, Cappincur and Tubber had big wins. With Bill Carroll outstanding, Cappincur played very well in a 1-12 to 0-9 win over a fancied Clonbullogue side while Tubber recovered well from a very disappointing 2023 with a 2-13 to 1-10 victory over neighbours Ballycumber – Tubber had to survive a relegation play off in 2023 but this was much better from them.

The group 2 results went as expected. Clara confirmed their rating as championship favourites with a good 2-13 to 0-8 win over Gracefield while newly promoted Daingean had an easy 2-15 to 1-6 win over a struggling Walsh Island – Daingean's title ambitions have received a boost with the return of Shane Tierney from Australia and he came on in the second half.

The pairings in round 2 on the weekend of August 9-11, with first named at home, are:

Group 1: Tubber v Cappincur; Clonbullogue v Ballycumber.

Group 2: Gracefield v Daingean; Walsh Island v Clara.

Intermediate Football Championship

The big result in the Intermediate Football Championship was Ballinagar's 1-10 to 0-8 win over parish rivals, Raheen in group 2. With Morgan Tynan in excellent form for them, a second half Jamie Ballistie goal set Ballinagar up for a historic first ever championship win over the Geashill club.

St Brigid's had a very good 1-11 to 0-10 win over Tullamore in the other group 2 game. The Croghan club were delighted to win as they were missing Dan Molloy and the injured Ben Kennedy, though Tullamore had lost three of their players to senior the previous night, Sean McCabe, Sean Afolabi Joseph and Michael Feeney.

In group 1, Erin Rovers showed good form when defeating St Rynagh's by 1-15 to 1-5 in a game that was deferred to Monday evening because of a bereavement in Cloghan. Goals were key for Kilcormac-Killoughey as they drew, 3-3 to 0-12, with Ferbane.

Round 2 takes place on August 9 to 11 with the first named at home:

Group 1: Erin Rovers v Kilcormac-Killoughey; Ferbane v St Rynagh's.

Group 2: Tullamore v Raheen; Ballinagar v St Brigid's.