Important games in third round of Offaly SFC “B”

NOTHING will be decided yet but some clubs are facing into crucially important games in round 3 of the Tullamore Court Hotel Senior “B” Football Championship this weekend.

With two of the seven rounds completed, Clara are sitting pretty at the top of the table with four points. Cappincur have three points from two games, Tubber and Gracefield have two from two, Ballinagar have one from one, Daingean have none from one and Ballycumber have none from two.

There is a long way to go before the four semi-finalists are known but it certainly looks like Clara will be one of these. Title favourites, they are moving very well and have their bye this weekend.

Cappincur are also going well, despite mounting injury problems but Ballycumber are in a critical place with two defeats and they urgently need points on the board. Ballinagar and Daingean could also do with a win this weekend, though a defeat won't be fatal, and the pressure increases on clubs with every round.

Round 3 fixtures are:

Tubber v Ballinagar: Friday, August 15 in Tubber 7.30pm

A very big game for both teams. Tubber's first round win over Gracefield eased the early pressure and they ran fancied Cappincur close in round 2. Unfortunately for them, their most important player, county hurler Donal Shirley sustained a broken wrist in that game.

It looks like that isn't as bad as initially feared but this game will probably be too soon for him and if he is out, it is a really big blow to Tubber.

This is a real 50-50 game. 2024 intermediate champions Ballinagar drew with Cappincur in the first round and had a bye in round 2. They have their sights set on a semi-final place. They should be strong at this level but we still don't know where they really stand and this is a very big test for them. Tubber have years of experience in the second tier and Bernard Allen is capable of being a match winner.

Tubber edged them in the league a couple of months ago but Ballinagar were down all their county panellists that day. They will all be playing now while the absence of Shirley increases Ballinagar's prospects. It will be a very tight game and there is unlikely to be more than a kick of the ball in it.

Verdict – Ballinagar.

Ballycumber v Cappincur: Saturday, August 16 in Ballycumber 3pm

Six points could get a team through but Ballycumber are already entering must win territory after two opening defeats against Clara and Gracefield and a defeat here will leave them heading for an early exit.

They have a good outside chance against Cappincur but have vast improving to do. Ballycumber are in one of their valley periods at the moment. Cappincur could be heading into something similar but they remain very strong and are possibly second favourites behind Clara – there is very little between Cappincur, Tubber, Ballinagar and Daingean but Cappincur's experience is a great asset to them.

Injuries are a big problem for Cappincur. They really need to get their star player, Bill Carroll onto the field. His older brother Eoin is managing a body with a lot of mileage up, limiting his game time. John Colgan would have been a great asset to them but his season ended with a cruciate injury. The experienced PJ Daly has got a scan on a worrying looking knee injury and they are awaiting results – hopefully that will be good news and he will be back quickly but all of these injuries could come against Cappincur at some stage.

At the same time, they are going well and playing well. They nearly always perform and while this is a banana skin for them, they can take a significant step closer to knockout football.

Verdict – Cappincur.

Daingean v Gracefield: Sunday, August 17 in Daingean 12.30pm

This is one of Daingean's biggest games of the year and the result could well determine the trajectory of their season.

Gracefield will give them a real run for their money and Daingean have a point to prove after a poor display in their first round loss against Clara. They were missing key players that day, including county star Shane Tierney and they couldn't afford to be down that many players.

Having said that, their resistance levels were disappointing and sometimes a price can be paid for that, it can infiltrate a squad. They will get away with it if they win here and this factor increases the importance of this game for them.

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Tierney is managing a groin injury and Daingean are a different side with him on the field. He was togged out in Clara which suggests he will play in this one and that will make Daingean favourites. Gracefield will relish taking them on. After losing to Tubber in their first game, their win over Ballycumber set them up and a second win would really get them going. They have a good chance but Daingean are favourites.

Verdict – Daingean.