Better than expected fare as Offaly Senior Football Championship gets off to lively start

THE jury is still very much out on it and the ultimate verdict probably won't be good but the Tullamore Court Hotel Senior Football Championship still got off to a better than anticipated start when the opening round took place last weekend.

The format for the championship has generated plenty of adverse comment – irrespective of results, all eight teams qualify for the quarter-finals out of the groups, removing any knockout element and a large amount of the excitement from the early stages.

While the opening round served up a bit of a mixed bag, it still provided a decent level of entertainment, a couple of truly competitive games and reasonable crowds.

It was certainly not the disaster that many feared, though the ultimate judge of the format will be the decision taken for the 2025 championships – and it will be a big surprise if this format is persevered with.

At the moment, the format is there and must be got on with and the big winners last week were Shamrocks who had an excellent surprise win over Ferbane in the opener in group 2. Played in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Mucklagh, corner back Luke Molloy fired over an injury time winning point for Shamrocks as they triumphed by 1-11 to 1-10 but they fully deserved that.

Playing with great spirit, Shamrocks chased the game with everything they had and the win changes their season. It certainly makes training that bit easier for the players this week and gives managers, John Monaghan and Brian Kinnarney encouragement as they try and improve things.

In the other group 2 game, Edenderry put in a very good second half display to pull away for a 2-15 to 0-9 win over Durrow in Durrow. Edenderry looked to be in bother at half time when they went in level on 0-6 each after playing with the wind but they were very good in the second half. Cian Farrell and Jordan Hayes were outstanding for them while Durrow were very disappointed at the way they fell off the pace after an encouraging opening half.

In group 1, Tullamore were pushed to the pin of their collar by Ballycommon in Ballycommon on Friday before winning by 0-12 to 2-5. The host club led by 2-4 to 0-7 after 44 minutes but the champions rallied well and Harry Plunkett got the winning point from a 61^st minute free – Ballycommon had a great chance of salvaging a result out on their long awaited return to senior football, though Tullamore were marginally the better side.

Rhode did just enough to beat Bracknagh by 0-14 to 0-11 in the other group 1 game. Rhode played their best football in the first half and led by 0-10 to 0-5 at half time. Bracknagh did well to get back into it in a second half when fancied Rhode only scored four points and didn't get one from play but the favourites always looked like they had enough in the tank to get the win.

One aspect of the championship format that is working well is playing the first two rounds at home and away venues – round 3 will be at neutral grounds. Having the so called weaker clubs at home in the first round also worked well and these games are creating a nice atmosphere while it is also refreshing to see the pride host clubs are taking in their facilities. There were particularly decent crowds in Mucklagh and Ballycommon while the attendance in Durrow was quite small – in particular, Edenderry didn't bring a big support with them.

It is too early to note definitive trends but one emerging one is the impression that the championship outsiders seem to be more up for the games than the front runners. Edenderry were the notable exception to this as they really went at Durrow in the second half and were clearly determined to lay down a marker.

Again time will judge this but Ferbane, Tullamore and Rhode did seem to be operating at less than 100%, though Tullamore did dig deep when defeat stared them in the face in the second half and Rhode did what they had to do to win.

More will be told in round 2 which takes place from August 8 to 10. Pairings, with first named at home, are:

Group 1 – Rhode v Ballycommon and Tullamore v Bracknagh;

Group 2 – Edenderry v Shamrocks and Ferbane v Durrow.