Kilcormac-Killoughey face big Offaly Senior “B” Hurling Championship clash

REIGNING champions Kilcormac-Killoughey face a hug clash when they travel to Carrig to face Carrig-Riverstown in round two of the Molloy Precast and Environmental Systems Senior “B” Hurling Championship next Saturday.

Kilcormac-Killoughey have had an incredible run in the past two years, taking both Senior and Senior “B” hurling titles and they were favourites to retain both grades this year.

However, the absence of key players on their senior side has changed the goalposts. With Ter Guinan, Adam Screeney, Charlie Mitchell and Cillian Kiely among the absentees, K-K were forced to draft up twins Thomas and Peter Geraghty and Mark Mulrooney for their first round draw with Belmont.

This trio were mainstays of their senior B wins with Peter Geraghty the senior “B” hurler of the year in both years. While K-K have a huge array of talent, a deeper pool of resources than any other hurling club in Offaly, it is not infinite at the top levels and they suffered a first round senior B loss to Lusmagh.

In a six team group, they can afford losses and could well come back and win this championship. A defeat against Carrig-Rivertown won't end their semi-final prospects but it is a big game for them and will tell more about where they are.

Lusmagh v Coolderry: Thursday, July 24 in Lusmagh 7.30pm

Lusmagh were thrilled with their win over Kilcormac-Killoughey but need to continue their good work with a home win against Coolderry.

It was a very good performance and a convincing win for Lusmagh but in a way, this game is an even bigger test for them. Coolderry won the intermediate last year and loss to Clara in the first round. The early indications are that senior B will be a big step up for them but they still have a lot of very good hurlers and are well capable of winning games.

Lusmagh have blown hot and cold in recent years, winning games when not expected to and then losing ones you think they should or could win. This is the type of game they could lose and it will be very interesting to see how it goes.

Verdict – Lusmagh.

Clara v Clodiagh Gaels: Friday, July 25 in Clara 7.30pm

Clodiagh Gaels were missing a few players in their loss to Carrig-Riverstown and need to get closer to full strength fairly soon. A second defeat won't put them out of contention and there will be plenty of twists and turns along the way but it will certainly put them under pressure.

Clara didn't perform last year but got going with a fine win over Coolderry in the first round. They have plenty of good hurlers at their disposal and will give anyone a game. This is likely to be a very tight game and there is a case for making Clara slight favourites with home advantage. Clodiagh Gaels, however, remain title contenders and they have a point to prove as well as a need to get a result.

Verdict – Clodiagh Gaels.

Carrig-Riverstown v Kilcormac-Killoughey: Saturday, July 26 in Carrig 4pm

A big game for both sides with Carrig-Riverstown aiming to enhance the good work they did when beating Clodiagh Gaels while Kilcormac-Killoughey try and show their first round loss was an aberation.

You just wouldn't know what way this will go. K-K could have lost even more players from this team as they didn't introduce any subs in their senior hurling draw with Belmont – and they had players on the line who would have made a difference.

They are entitled to protect their senior B team and try and win both championships but the defeat to Lusmagh suggests they are more vulnerable at this grade now than the last two years. They still have a very decent teams and they remain championship contenders. This game will give a strong indication of where they are.

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Carrig-Riverstown are very genuine title contenders. They weren't brilliant against Clodiagh Gaels but there was still something impressive about the way they performed. They have a lot going for them but they have been short of the mark in the past couple of years. They can afford a defeat here but a win would have a real positive spin off for them and they could do with one.

It will be a very close battle and nothing would surprise here.

Verdict – Carrig-Riverstown.