Must win parish derby in Offaly SFC

THERE is a fascinating must win parish derby between Clonbullogue and Bracknagh in the Senior Football Championship next Sunday in Clonbullogue.

With both sides having shipped heavy first round beatings at the hands of Shamrocks and Tullamore, this is their biggest game of the year.

Three qualify from this four team group and the winners will almost certainly make the quarter-finals while the losers will be gone – Clonbullogue play Tullamore and Bracknagh have Shamrocks last.

Both have a point to prove after their first round losses. Clonbullogue are hamstrung at the moment with county midfielder Jack McEvoy still suspended and Ruari O'Neill, Peter Bennett and Peter Byrne all injured. That is very unfortunate on them but they will still give this a real go. They will be wound up for it and it should be a close and competitive game.

Bracknagh are all missing their share of players who would easily make their team with a few abroad and a couple of others injured.

It is interesting to look at the turnover from the teams that competed in the Senior “B” Football Championship in 2022 when Bracknagh beat Clonbullogue. David Costello, Jim Hendy, Anthony Cunningham, Ciaran Donnelly, Stefan Geoghegan, Darren Kelly, Joe Costello, Sean Dempsey all started for Bracknagh in 2022 and didn't feature against Tullamore. Ian Curry, Eddie Bennett, Jack McEvoy, Peter Bennett, Ruari O'Neill, Sean Foran all started for Clonbullogue in 2022 and didn't feature against Shamrocks.

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Keith O'Neill is Clonbullogue's best chance of victory while Bracknagh have an A grade player in Peter Cunningham. Bracknagh have more experience at senior level and their back up may be a bit stronger if Cunningham is held. They can edge a fierce battle.

Verdict – Bracknagh.