Group 2 teams raring to go in Offaly Senior Football Championship

AFTER weeks of waiting while two rounds of the five team group 1 were played, the four clubs in group 2 of the Tullamore Court Hotel Senior Football Championship will be delighted to finally spring into action next weekend.

The Senior Football Championship will go to ten teams next year with two groups of five – there is no relegation this year but the imbalance with nine competitors meant that the five team group not only had to start first but two rounds had to be completed to ensure both groups finish at the same time.

It means that champions, Tullamore, Shamrocks, Bracknagh and Clonbullogue all have their first game this weekend while Edenderry, Ferbane and Rhode all have two played and Durrow and Ballycommon have one match under their belt.

In group 2, Edenderry have one foot in the quarter-finals with four points, Rhode and Ferbane are both on two points and Ballycommon and Durrow have lost their opening match.

Group 1

Ferbane v Durrow: Sunday, August 17 in Clara 5.30pm

Travelling to Rhode for their second round match, Ferbane knew they had a very inviting target on their back and so it proved as they conceded an injury time goal to suffer a disappointing defeat.

Rhode approached that game with the intensity normally reserved for a knockout game, Ferbane's approach was very much what you would expect for a group game where the result was not fatal for them.

Their supporters knew that travelling over to Rhode but it was still a poor performance and it did raise questions about them.

They now face Durrow in their third game and a win will probably secure a quarter-final place. Durrow performed well in their first round defeat to high flying Edenderry. They were a lot closer than the final scoreline suggested, leading by four points early in the second half and trailing by four points with five minutes to go when Dan Bourke rattled the crossbar. They had all their hurlers playing and Durrow are capable of taking a scalp.

This is a tricky one for Ferbane but it is also a golden opportunity for them to lift the pressure. They won't want to be going into their final group game against Edenderry needing a win and this is a chance for them to qualify. Durrow have an outside chance but once Ferbane are fully tuned in and their intensity levels are right, they should be able to win.

Verdict – Ferbane.

Ballycommon v Rhode: Tuesday, August 18 in Daingean 7.30pm

With their pride hurt after a first round mauling by Edenderry, Rhode were more highly motivated for the home match against Ferbane than they have been for any group game in the past two decades. They had a major point to prove after that first round defeat and they showed what they are made of with a fully deserved win, even if that injury time winning goal would not have arrived in every match.

Rhode showed that they are definite title contenders, notwithstanding the doubts that still remain about the age profile of their team. They face Ballycommon in Daingean next Tuesday and a win will almost certainly send them into the quarter-finals. It is a great chance for them to put themselves on that road and Rhode will be very happy to be in this position after that first round loss.

They won't take Ballycommon for granted but Rhode are hot favourites. Ballycommon gave a very poor display in their first round defeat to Ferbane. They are better than that and they will play better than that here. They also have a point to prove and we expect them to give this a real go. The underdogs do have some sort of a chance here but Rhode are warm favourites and you just can't make a case for anything other than them winning by a few points.

Verdict – Rhode.

Group 2

Bracknagh v Tullamore: Saturday, August 16 in Bracknagh 7pm

Tullamore will be on high alert for their championship opener in Bracknagh on Saturday evening. They are warm favourites but Bracknagh gave a good account of themselves in the Division 1 Football League and have enough good footballers to cause problems.

The champions, however, are the title favourites and have a lot of quality at their disposal. This will be an early test for them and it is dangerous for them but Tullamore shouldn't get caught.

Verdict – Tullamore.

Shamrocks v Clonbullogue: Sunday, August 17 in Mucklagh 3pm
Shamrocks are the big unknown in the championship. They are improving and look to have the capacity to emerge into title contenders. It may take another year for that process to fully occur but they are moving in the right direction and no team will take them for granted.

Their opener against Clonbullogue is their biggest game of the year, a match that will tell more about them. Shamrocks will probably be without emerging midfielder, Dara Bates who has an ankle injury but have a very lively looking forward line with Jack Bryant and Nigel Dunne, the standout figures.

Clonbullogue will fancy this one. Senior “B” champions last year, they will really want to impress on their top flight debut and in Keith O'Neill, they have one of the best footballers in Offaly. Fate has dealt them a blow. County midfielder Jack McEvoy is suspended for this, along with James Byrne. They were sent off a few weeks ago in a challenge defeat to Shandonagh and their one match ban applies here.

The loss of McEvoy is a disaster for Clonbullogue and they just can't afford to lose a player like this. Even with McEvoy playing, Shamrocks would be favourites, now they are fairly warm ones but it is still a tricky one for them. Despite their good group form last year, Shamrocks didn't do it in knockout football. They are improving but they are unproven and they really need to win this one.

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Shamrocks should be able to win by a few points but it is a banana skin. They have to perform and go and do it now, though in some ways, this game has the biggest potential for a shock this weekend. We will learn more about where Shamrocks are here.

Verdict – Shamrocks.