Club Football

[Plain of the Herbs]

What's that? The last year NONE of Rhode, Tullamore, Ferbane and Edenderry reached the semi-finals?
I'd say never, off the top of my head. Maybe 1984 or 1985, if ever.

Could someone fill me in as to the last year the “Big 4 “ weren’t the last 4 left standing?

[frankthetank]

What's that? The last year NONE of Rhode, Tullamore, Ferbane and Edenderry reached the semi-finals?
I'd say never, off the top of my head. Maybe 1984 or 1985, if ever.

Could someone fill me in as to the last year the “Big 4 “ weren’t the last 4 left standing?

No, I was trying to find out when was the last time that those four teams weren’t the 4 semi-finalists. And thanks to the poster who told me it was 2021 as Durrow qualified for that year’s semi-final.

[SearingDrive]

What's that? The last year NONE of Rhode, Tullamore, Ferbane and Edenderry reached the semi-finals?
I'd say never, off the top of my head. Maybe 1984 or 1985, if ever.

Could someone fill me in as to the last year the “Big 4 “ weren’t the last 4 left standing?

No, I was trying to find out when was the last time that those four teams weren’t the 4 semi-finalists. And thanks to the poster who told me it was 2021 as Durrow qualified for that year’s semi-final.

In 1985 Raheen lost to Edenderry in the SF Final. I can’t recall when at least one of the four sides did not reach the semifinals. Walsh Island powered by the Connor/ O’Connor clan dominated Offaly football in the 70’s and 80’s, but their rivals were the Lowry led Ferbane side. Gracefield won the championship in 1972.
I think it must be a period when other teams contested the final stages of the SF championship, if that were ever true.

[Anonymous1]

With Shamrocks winning tonight it would take a remarkable set of results (from Durrow in particular) to stop at least 1 match up of the big 4 in the Q-Finals. So one of Tullamore, Rhode, Edenderry and Ferbane won’t make this year’s county semi-finals. It will be more than likely the loser of Tullamore vs Rhode will play the loser of Edenderry vs Ferbane in a county Q-Final.

Shamrocks vs the loser of Ballycommon vs Bracknagh is also nearly a nailed on Q-Final.

Could someone fill me in as to the last year the “Big 4 “ weren’t the last 4 left standing?

Ferbane knocked Edenderry out in the QF in 2021.

Tullamore didn't make it out of the group in 2019.

Ferbane's last time not in the SF was likely 2015 but I'm not 100% certain.

Rhode's last time not in the SF was probably the early 00's or late 90's.

[frankthetank]

I find it interesting that Tullamore have chosen OCP as their home venue for their group game this weekend. It’s like Dublin/Croke Park Lite!!

But in the interest of fairness should we be looking at potential knockout games involving Tullamore (outside of county final of course) being played outside of OCP.

As a point of reference Birr have not been allowed hurl games in SBP in the recent past. For example their last 2 quarter finals versus Ballinamere in 2022 and Shinrone in 2023 were held in OCP.

[Anonymous1]

As for this years champo. I warned last week that if the big teams didn't take the groups seriously that we'd end up with a clash of two of the big four in the QF's and that's now on the cards barring a series of unfortunate events.

It adds a layer of importance to the Rhode vs Tullamore game in round 3 as neither will want to face Ferbane/Edenderry in a QF and vice versa.

The format despite all of its fault has somehow conspired to give us the most exciting finish to a group stage in recent memory.

The shadow boxing gloves will be off in the groups for the first time in years.

[Anonymous1]

I find it interesting that Tullamore have chosen OCP as their home venue for their group game this weekend. It’s like Dublin/Croke Park Lite!!

But in the interest of fairness should we be looking at potential knockout games involving Tullamore (outside of county final of course) being played outside of OCP.

As a point of reference Birr have not been allowed hurl games in SBP in the recent past. For example their last 2 quarter finals versus Ballinamere in 2022 and Shinrone in 2023 were held in OCP.

Why don't the group winners get home games in the QF and the SF too for that matter.

Playing those games in OCP make them soulless affairs whereas giving the group winner home advantage would add an extra incentive.

There's always a better atmosphere at club grounds than OCP as the crowd is much more compact.

[frankthetank]

I fully agree that games are soulless in O’’Connor Park. Can be really dull for the spectator.

I also would concur that the higher seeded teams shluld get home advantage in the Q-Finals.

However I would still like a double header for the semis at a neutral ground. Not a Senior A/Senior B double header but an actual Senior A semi final double header. Same for hurling. If the hurling final is to be in OCP have the semis as a double header in SBP and vice versa.

[Anonymous1]

I fully agree that games are soulless in O’’Connor Park. Can be really dull for the spectator.

I also would concur that the higher seeded teams shluld get home advantage in the Q-Finals.

However I would still like a double header for the semis at a neutral ground. Not a Senior A/Senior B double header but an actual Senior A semi final double header. Same for hurling. If the hurling final is to be in OCP have the semis as a double header in SBP and vice versa.

I fear the double header debate has been lost long ago.

It's all about the moolah sadly.

[jimbob17]

Just in few points brought up here,

This year is first year group winners are in q final - normally go straight to semi. Probably will revert to that again next year - but there should have been more incentive to top group and this year, that could have been it.

The Birr at home is a non argument I think. All hurling quarter finals are played on neutral grounds as is fair I think. So Birr generally won't play knockout game in Birr bar it is a final.

In the football, each team gets one home, one away and third game neutral, like in inter county scene, which I think is good idea. Tullamore obviously want match practice in OCP and as per their agreement with Co board, where they still own the grounds, they nominated OCP as their home ground, as is their right. What Co board should do beyond that is similar to Birr, ie keep Tullamore out of OCP for a quarter and semi final, to keep it fair. Not sure it is fair for Tullamore to be able to nominate ocp as home ground and also get their semis and quarters there too....

As for the 2 senior A semis going on together, I think it is done the way it is done to increase revenue, with bigger attendances for Senior A semis - but couldn't say definitively.

Shamrocks guaranteed to top their group if Ferbane beat Durrow which is likely. It'll likely be against loser of Ballycommon and Bracknagh so will be interesting to see how these teams approach that game, given a win will likely pitch winner against Edenderry or Ferbane. This is kind of bizarre given Shamrocks hadn't won a game all year through the league, but they got the results so kudos to them.

There might be few more surprises along way. You'd have to think though that the big 4 will be better equipped in knockout games. Tullamore were short plenty in first game v Ballycommon and don't think Edenderry or Ferbane were full strength v Shamrocks which says everything that needs to be said about the organisational structure of senior football championship, which no matter what way you look at it, is a bit of a joke.

[Anonymous1]

Just in few points brought up here,

This year is first year group winners are in q final - normally go straight to semi. Probably will revert to that again next year - but there should have been more incentive to top group and this year, that could have been it.

It's most likely to be a ten team championship next year with 5 in each group like Senior hurling so 1 goes into semis, 2 plays 3, 4 is out and 5 into relegation.

The Birr at home is a non argument I think. All hurling quarter finals are played on neutral grounds as is fair I think. So Birr generally won't play knockout game in Birr bar it is a final.

In the football, each team gets one home, one away and third game neutral, like in inter county scene, which I think is good idea. Tullamore obviously want match practice in OCP and as per their agreement with Co board, where they still own the grounds, they nominated OCP as their home ground, as is their right. What Co board should do beyond that is similar to Birr, ie keep Tullamore out of OCP for a quarter and semi final, to keep it fair. Not sure it is fair for Tullamore to be able to nominate ocp as home ground and also get their semis and quarters there too....

Agreed, they should have to choose whether they want their group games or knockout games there, can't have it both ways. Especially next year when teams are likely to have two home group games.

As for the 2 senior A semis going on together, I think it is done the way it is done to increase revenue, with bigger attendances for Senior A semis - but couldn't say definitively.

It definitely is but I'd like to see the evidence on it. There are plenty of neutrals who'd pay in to see a Senior A semis double header but won't pay into two individual semis.

Throwing on a Senior B semi with an A semi is an absolute farce. it just jacks up the price for both the Senior A and B teams who have no interest in the other game.

Shamrocks guaranteed to top their group if Ferbane beat Durrow which is likely. It'll likely be against loser of Ballycommon and Bracknagh so will be interesting to see how these teams approach that game, given a win will likely pitch winner against Edenderry or Ferbane. This is kind of bizarre given Shamrocks hadn't won a game all year through the league, but they got the results so kudos to them.

Hadn't considered this, both will probably want to lose tbh, if the higher seeded team in the QF's had gotten home games then there would be an incentive to win.

There might be few more surprises along way. You'd have to think though that the big 4 will be better equipped in knockout games. Tullamore were short plenty in first game v Ballycommon and don't think Edenderry or Ferbane were full strength v Shamrocks which says everything that needs to be said about the organisational structure of senior football championship, which no matter what way you look at it, is a bit of a joke.

Tullamore were missing 5 against Ballycommon but still played to win and were very very poor.

Ferbane were missing 5 too but Shamrocks were also down 5 long term players and arguably those were more keenly missed than Ferbane's as they have a bigger pick so you can't take anything away from Shamrocks' win there. Ferbane played to win but weren't good enough.

As for Edenderry I don't know what to say, jekyll and hyde personified. They're not missing anyone of note as far as I know, this is just who they are. Sometimes good, sometimes crap.

[Anonymous1]

Ferbane scrape over Durrow in a very unconvincing win but in doing so confirm Shamrocks as group winners.

The losers of Tullamore vs Rhode in a fortnight will face the losers of Ferbane vs Edenderry in the QF.

[Buttons]

I know I am jumping ahead but is it an open draw for the semi finals. In one way you would think the two number one seeds should be on separate halves provided they win the quarter finals.

Also how does the relegation go this year, how do they decide that. In theory it should be the teams that finish bottom and seeded 4th, but if that team eg durrow beats tullamore/ rhode in the qf are rhode/ tullamore in a relegation final?

[Anonymous1]

I know I am jumping ahead but is it an open draw for the semi finals. In one way you would think the two number one seeds should be on separate halves provided they win the quarter finals.

Also how does the relegation go this year, how do they decide that. In theory it should be the teams that finish bottom and seeded 4th, but if that team eg durrow beats tullamore/ rhode in the qf are rhode/ tullamore in a relegation final?

In previous years the two number one seeds have been on opposite sides and drawn against the two QF winners, you'd presume its still the same provided the two number one seeds win their QF's but I'm not 100% certain.

The four QF losers go into relegation semis, the two losers of those face off in the relegation final.

[jimbob17]

Not so sure re above. Not sure if I am correct, but I heard that no team will be relegated from Senior A football and 2 teams are coming up from Senior B to make a 10 team competition next year - like the hurling, which will be 2 groups of 5. Was told that both finalists in senior b football will be promoted so essentially the senior b semi finals become really important. Winner of senior B to represent Offaly in Leinster. But like I said, could be totally wrong and stand to be corrected.