www.uibhfhaili.com

Birr got some hammering off kk.
Coolderry with the expected win vs kinnitty

That looks like an improved performance by Coolderry going on the scoreline.
Maybe justifies their action a few weeks ago to correct things.

Big set back for Birr. Watched in on Clubber. Bar a few fight backs they were totally outclassed.

Offaly Hero wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2026 11:30 am

frankthetank wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2026 12:15 am Birr are as far away as they have ever have been from winning a championship.

They seem to have rectified their underage structure but that will take time.

That performance vs K/K last year seems to have been the exception rather than the norm. A lot of people hung their hat on it.

I’d actually be surprised if they qualify from their group. Other than Kinnitty where will the wins come from?

Agreed, Birr not in contention at all this year or for the next few years. Their representation on Offaly underage teams and panels over the last 10 years has been unbelievably minimal for a town of its size. Their last Minor A title was 2004. Their U-20 teams have been completely non competitive for some time now with some absolute hammerings in that time. They have won one U-20 (as St Brendans with CRC players) since 2007 and that was with an Eoghan Cahill inspired team in 2017. Same as for any club, until these key indicators of success change, nothing will change.

Indeed it could get worse before it gets better with the cohort of Brendan Murphy, Colm Mulrooney, Barry Harding and Sean Ryan all now well into their 30's.

My point from eight weeks ago still stands. I rest my case.

Really thought Birr would put down a marker to knock out KK. It’s so rare to have an opportunity to knock them out in group hurling, I was sure they would go all out. Very disappointing from them, it seems they are a bit away. KK looked solid, despite all they were missing.

Kinnitty probably look like a team who need to go down, which is a pity. They were very competitive last year with some good sides, but probably could benefit with a year of Senior B hurling. Lusmagh have shown more this year. And regarding Coolderry, someone said earlier that they will go through a lot of managers if they feel that they have a right to get out of the group every year. They are not feared anymore and need to reflect on what proved to be a disappointing year.

Birr are under no illusions there is gaps from minor up for a few years But its getting better from minor down going by results last 2/3 years just going have to wait unfortunately.


The same team should of beat kk in semi final last year so i dont think they are as bad as that.

greenairfield wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2026 7:01 pm Birr are under no illusions there is gaps from minor up for a few years But its getting better from minor down going by results last 2/3 years just going have to wait unfortunately.


The same team should of beat kk in semi final last year so i dont think they are as bad as that.

Very hard to get up for a game like that where you are assured of qualification.
It was clear which side was in danger.

Birr stormed out of the gates after half time, probably got a kick up the hole at half time, showed enough in the next 10-15 mins to say that they have a fighting chance in a QF and then stopped hurling completely.

I saw a comment online about an incident with Paddy Delaney in the Kinnitty game.
Anybody at it? Was it serious?
Serious hurler- is he gone past intercounty consideration having missed a year or two.
Will be 31 in 2027 as far as I know.

Jim Troy wrote: ↑Sun Sep 06, 2026 1:45 pm I saw a comment online about an incident with Paddy Delaney in the Kinnitty game.
Anybody at it? Was it serious?
Serious hurler- is he gone past intercounty consideration having missed a year or two.
Will be 31 in 2027 as far as I know.

He went to Australia in the first place after dropping himself from the panel because he wasn’t getting a look in.
He’s home for 6 weeks to hurl.

You’d feel for Tullamore.
Still, heading in the right direction.
Unless KK step up, it’s there for Ballinamere if they can get through their semi final.

Trying to figure out the standings
Rynaghs v ?
Birr v ?

Shinrone vs Rynaghs
Birr vs Belmont
In the quarter finals

Hard luck on Tullamore the concession of the late goals against shinrone came back to bite them. Been very unlucky the last 2 seasons not to make knockout they need an injection of youth with a good minor team this year hopefully they get a few from that team to step up.

Shinrone and Belmont to win.
Belmont should have won today. Point blank save from mark troy saved the day.

Jim Troy wrote: ↑Sun Sep 06, 2026 5:48 pm You’d feel for Tullamore.
Still, heading in the right direction.
Unless KK step up, it’s there for Ballinamere if they can get through their semi final.

Trying to figure out the standings
Rynaghs v ?
Birr v ?

KK have had 2 good wins recently, putting them favs in my book to retain their title. I think Ballinamere are in the mix too, but I would not rule out St. Rynagh’s.

Shinrone and Rynaghs will be a good Quarter final - winners play KK I think...One would think Rynaghs hurled that bit better all championship, that said Shinrone have come good when required. Belmont and Birr will be interesting, Belmont will probably be favourites possibly given then ran Ballinamere so close - that said Birr are in knockout and know if they can get over QF they wont fear Ballinamere if thats the draw..I think both Rynaghs and Belmont will progress though...

Fairplayalways wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2026 3:48 pm Shinrone and Rynaghs will be a good Quarter final - winners play KK I think...One would think Rynaghs hurled that bit better all championship, that said Shinrone have come good when required. Belmont and Birr will be interesting, Belmont will probably be favourites possibly given then ran Ballinamere so close - that said Birr are in knockout and know if they can get over QF they wont fear Ballinamere if thats the draw..I think both Rynaghs and Belmont will progress though...

I would have agreed that Belmont would be favs v Birr.
However, the outright odds for the c'ship suggest that Rynaghs and Birr will be favs for these 2 games.
KK odds slashed after qualifying directly for the semis.

KK 2/5
Ballinamere 9/4
Rynaghs 10/1
Birr 14/1
Shinrone 14/1
Belmont 20/1

Fairplayalways wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2026 3:48 pm Shinrone and Rynaghs will be a good Quarter final - winners play KK I think...One would think Rynaghs hurled that bit better all championship, that said Shinrone have come good when required. Belmont and Birr will be interesting, Belmont will probably be favourites possibly given then ran Ballinamere so close - that said Birr are in knockout and know if they can get over QF they wont fear Ballinamere if thats the draw..I think both Rynaghs and Belmont will progress though...

All Offaly semi finals are an Open Draw.
That Offaly page online from Liam White is very mis-leading the way he has done out each draw. Not the first time I've heard someone assume they have such and such in a semi final in both football and hurlng.
But it is an open draw with the exception of the 2 top teams being kept apart.