Offaly Club Hurling Championship 2025

[Doon Exile]

A really enjoyable game in Tullamore. Birr threw everything they had at K/K and came up narrowly short. Adam Screeney and Charlie Mitchell really wwre the difference makers. Adam got 2 amazing points in his haul of 0-04 from play.

But K/K have issues in their backline and particularly at centre back. Cillian Kiely for some reason hurled as an auxiliary full back in the 2nd half and gave Luke Nolan the freedom of OCP. He never picked him up at all. And his distribution on the ball was inconsistent to say the least. For me K/K are a a much better team with Brecon at centre back. A half back line of Ter Guinan, Brecon and Enda Grogan has to be under consideration for the county final.

Be a huge decision to make to bring in Ter to half back line at expense of Kiely. I thought the k
KK back line did well. Apart from Kiely kicking away the sliotar in the first half and his balloon effort late in the second half, I don’t think he did a whole lot wrong.

A lot of the birr scores came from distance late on more so than a particular weakness in the KK defence.

For all the class of Screeney and Mitchell inside, they still depend a lot on Mahon and Gorman to win primary ball.

[del]

Congrats to Lusmagh on a fine win in the Senior B final . With such small numbers they are credit to their club families and friends . The joy shown by them at the final whistle was brilliant to see
Its great to see them back up senior A hurling next year
C&R time will come in the next year or 2 they could have snuck a draw but on the balance of play Lusmagh are worthy champions

[Doon Exile]

Congrats to Lusmagh on a fine win in the Senior B final . With such small numbers they are credit to their club families and friends . The joy shown by them at the final whistle was brilliant to see
Its great to see them back up senior A hurling next year
C&R time will come in the next year or 2 they could have snuck a draw but on the balance of play Lusmagh are worthy champions

Yep. Lusmagh full value for the win. Ruairi and Eibhim kelly really stood up for them.

[Offaly Hero]

Massive win for everybody’s second favourite club, Lusmagh, in today’s Senior B final.

It was only two years ago that they suffered a very heavy defeat (6-27 to 0-10) to KK in the semi final. So to stick with it and to ascend the winners steps today is some achievement for such a small club and community. Enjoy the celebrations and enjoy Senior A next year.

[G91]

Unfortunately for belmot today was no where near what they are capable of doing ,

In my view to many changes to the starting 15 but of jump the gun reaction

If it isn’t broke no need to fix it , they would have had serious subs to come in if they had stuck with what was working.

Maybe that’s complete nonsense shinrone were full value for the win didn’t do anything spectacular just hurled well punished Belmont

[Doon Exile]

The most astonishing thing for me was Killian Samson having started at centre back and electrifying St Brendan’s park with 1-1 in first 5 minutes and then he moved back to full back and stayed there for the rest of the game …….

Sorry to see Belmont lose another semi final but shinrone full value for their win today.

[wonka]

Perennial problem for belmont is not enough scoring firepower. Effort was really good, but at this altitude , you have to be scoring goals, and at least a couple of forwards have to be popping over 2 or 3 points in the 2nd half of knockout matches, it needs more than just david nallys frees. Oisin kellys miss, fantastic save, but that ball needs to go low, or bounced.From that range, it was the perfect height for keeper. Momentum changed straight after.
Agreed, Shinrone worthy winners.

[SearingDrive]

Perennial problem for belmont is not enough scoring firepower. Effort was really good, but at this altitude , you have to be scoring goals, and at least a couple of forwards have to be popping over 2 or 3 points in the 2nd half of knockout matches, it needs more than just david nallys frees. Oisin kellys miss, fantastic save, but that ball needs to go low, or bounced.From that range, it was the perfect height for keeper. Momentum changed straight after.
Agreed, Shinrone worthy winners.

Right about that Belmont goal chance. Potential game changer.. Shinrone looked a better team. Should be a good final.

[Fairplayalways]

Perennial problem for belmont is not enough scoring firepower. Effort was really good, but at this altitude , you have to be scoring goals, and at least a couple of forwards have to be popping over 2 or 3 points in the 2nd half of knockout matches, it needs more than just david nallys frees. Oisin kellys miss, fantastic save, but that ball needs to go low, or bounced.From that range, it was the perfect height for keeper. Momentum changed straight after.
Agreed, Shinrone worthy winners.

Right about that Belmont goal chance. Potential game changer.. Shinrone looked a better team. Should be a good final.

Belmont only scored one goal all championship, sub Brian Carroll's winner V Kinnity, who had them beat bar on the scoreboard..Oisin Kelly back, he played well today, that said one chance and it was saved, but was there other goal chances, if so i didnt see them, so to be fair his one and only chance, unfair to nail that on him..Shinrone are after having 3 tough games..they wanted that game more today..Belmont played well, but not well enough to win...Shinrone could well contain KK in the final..they have the intensity..Birr had it for 67/8 mins..almost got there...Shinrone have intensity AND experience..dont say no one said it..

[Superhans75]

Great performance by shinrone yesterday .
I liked they way they drew Belmont backs wide and were able to get the ball in the box because because of the forwards accuracy from scoring on the wings .
Will they beat KK I don't know the second shinrone goal was very soft I can't see KK
Giving that goal away
Shinrone weakness is probably there not the best at raising the ball up naturally
And depend on harassing and players making mistakes
Going to be a good final.

[Faithful Future]

Very impressed with Birr on Saturday. Good team and well structured. They will be in the mix for the next few years no doubt.

Luke Nolan was fantastic and Morgan Watkins has really come on. Both definitely worth looking at with Offaly for 2026. Not sure what age either are? Maybe Ailbe Watkins as well.

K/K are undoubtedly favourites, but Shinrone will give them plenty of it too. Decent experience now and a nice balanced team lead by the fantastic Killian Sampson.

On a separate note, Charlie Mitchell seems to have gone to another level. Some of his play at the weekend was outstanding and an inside line of himself and Screeney is ridiculous at club level in any county

Didn't get to Birr on Sunday - did anyone put their hands up for a call from Johnny Kelly this side of Christmas from the other semi final or from Lusmagh/C&R?

[faithfulfanatic]

Very impressed with Birr on Saturday. Good team and well structured. They will be in the mix for the next few years no doubt.

Luke Nolan was fantastic and Morgan Watkins has really come on. Both definitely worth looking at with Offaly for 2026. Not sure what age either are? Maybe Ailbe Watkins as well.

K/K are undoubtedly favourites, but Shinrone will give them plenty of it too. Decent experience now and a nice balanced team lead by the fantastic Killian Sampson.

On a separate note, Charlie Mitchell seems to have gone to another level. Some of his play at the weekend was outstanding and an inside line of himself and Screeney is ridiculous at club level in any county

Didn't get to Birr on Sunday - did anyone put their hands up for a call from Johnny Kelly this side of Christmas from the other semi final or from Lusmagh/C&R?

Savage win for Shinrone, very impressed by how they went about their business, Belmont like a deer in headlights at times. It’s been said before that their chance has passed, but this one did feel like that. Not many more to pick other than the numerous county lads on both sides. Killian Sampson was exceptional. DJ McLoughlin is in savage form and hopefully he gets a chance in the league, although it can be harder to blood lads now at the higher level. But you will find out very quickly where a lad is at.

Sunday in Birr belonged to Lusmagh. Serious display of teamwork, work rate and above all heart from Lusmagh to return to Senior A. Epitomised all that is good about Offaly hurling. Paul Kinsella outstanding for the victors with 1-5 from play. Carrig deployed Cathal King at 11, hoping to quell Eimhin Kelly’s influence but this did not work. They persevered with this and never looked to move King which seemed crazy. Eimhin Kelly will be a massive asset for Offaly this year back fit. Ruairi Kelly came out with a mountain of ball from corner back, Carrig corner forward had a torrid afternoon trying to chase him.
Carrig missed their captain Patrick Bergin under the puckouts, he got injured against Clara and only came on late. He’s a mountain of a man and I believe he is only 21? I don’t think he was involved with the 20s at any stage?
Lusmagh’s lively corner forward Luke Bowe definitely worth a look for the 20s next year, if he hasn’t been involved already.
Mark O’Brien was the standout for Carrig at full forward, got 3 points from play and kept them in it at times.

Senior B won’t get any easier to win next year, Seir Kieran coming down, KK will probably have a few lads back from senior a who were used this year, along with the introduction of Odhran Fletcher and a few more young guns. Clodiagh Gaels will hopefully recover from a poor year this year. Clara never make it easy for anyone and Drumcullen or Birr will be more than capable of competing.

Delighted for POTH, I hope we get some stats from him later in the week when things have calmed down!

[faithfulfanatic]

Luke Nolan was fantastic and Morgan Watkins has really come on. Both definitely worth looking at with Offaly for 2026. Not sure what age either are? Maybe Ailbe Watkins as well.

Luke Nolan deserves a look with Offaly for sure. I think he’s about 22/23?
Morgan Watkins is 25/26 and has been involved before so I don’t know would he commit again or how this may go?
I have been so impressed with Ailbe Watkins all year, 100% warrants a chance with Offaly.
His brother Pauric was very good last year but I see he was no.27 at the weekend, has he been away or injured?

[Offaly Hero]

Killian Sampson is the best hurler in Offaly for me. He can play anywhere in the middle third and his athletic development from when he was minor/u-20 to now is an example to all our recent talented underage hurlers.
Worth a trial beside Donal Shirley at CB in the half back line for Offaly?

[greenairfield]

Padraic Watkins was in America he came back and got injured he would be a certain starter would be regarded as Birr's best hurler in some people's eyes.