Carrig-Riverstown and Drumcullen early favourites in Offaly Intermediate Hurling Championship

CARRIG-RIVERSTOWN and Drumcullen have established themselves as the early favourites in the Molloy Environmental Systems Intermediate Hurling Championship, though there is a long way to go.

After two rounds, Drumcullen are top of group 1 on four points, alongside Coolderry while St Rynagh's and Belmont are pointless. Carrig-Riverstown are top on their own in group 2 with two wins from two. Shinrone and Edenderry have two points each while Seir Kieran have yet to get off the mark.

Drumcullen once again showed good form last weekend as they were too strong for St Rynagh's, 2-16 to 2-6. Coolderry were pushed hard by Belmont before winning by 3-13 to 2-14.

Carrig-Riverstown ran riot against Edenderry, destroying them by 3-27 to 0-5. Edenderry won junior last year and beat Seir Kieran in the first round. The scale of their defeat was a surprise but Carrig-Riverstown played very well. Shinrone got the better of Seir Kieran in the other game, 2-17 to 0-20.

The third and final round of group games takes place on the weekend of August 4-6 and fixtures are:

Group 1

Coolderry v Drumcullen;

St Rynagh's v Belmont.

Group 2

Shinrone v Edenderry;

Seir Kieran v Carrig-Riverstown.