Great Lusmagh win puts fancied Clodiagh Gaels on rocky ground in Offaly SHC “B”

LAST year's beaten finalists, Clodiagh Gaels were sent into very rocky territory when Lusmagh surprised them with a great win in round 3 of the Molloy Environmental Systems Senior “B” Hurling Championship last weekend.

Lusmagh performed very well to win by 1-24 to 0-24 and it gives them a real chance of reaching the knockout stages, though they will need to get more points on the board in their remaining two games.

The top four teams in the six team championship will qualify for two semi-finals and Kilcormac-Killoughey and Carrig-Riverstown are heading for two of those, leaving Clara, Lusmagh, Birr and Clodiagh Gaels in a fierce dogfight for the other two berths.

With two rounds remaining, title favourites Kilcormac-Killoughey are top with full points, 6, from their three games. Carrig-Riverstown have five and it is all very tight after this. Clara, Lusmagh and Birr are all on two while Clodiagh Gaels have just one point, after drawing with Carrig-Riverstown in their first outing.

K-K continued their excellent form with a 1-26 to 1-19 win over Clara last weekend. K-K are trying to do a senior and senior “B” double for the second successive year and their form in both grades augurs well for their prospects.

Last year's intermediate champions, Carrig-Riverstown have performed very well in the higher grade and they continued their good form with a 0-26 to 1-15 derby win over Birr.

Carrig-Riverstown meet Kilcormac-Killoughey in round 4 and this will be a very interesting game. Lusmagh's win, however, was the standout result from round 4 and as well as keeping them alive, it piles the pressure on Clodiagh Gaels, who don't have much margin for error in their closing games against Clara and Birr.

Lusmagh face a huge game against Birr in the next round. With K-K up last, they really need to win this one while the meeting of Clodiagh Gaels and Clara is also a pivotal one. Both Clara and Clodiagh Gaels were expected to contend but haven't ignited yet and the winner of this will take a giant step towards the semi-finals. Clara will also be very conscious of the fact that they have a very tough game against Carrig-Riverstown last.

The battle for the last two semi-finalists will be intriguing and will ensure some great games in the last two rounds.

Round 4 takes place on August 31 and pairings are:
Kilcormac-Killoughey v Carrig-Riverstown; Clodiagh Gaels v Clara; Birr v Lusmagh.

Round 5 is on September 6-8 and pairings are:
Carrig-Riverstown v Clara; Lusmagh v Kilcormac-Killoughey; Birr v Clodiagh Gaels.