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I think there are a few surprises, which is making for a great championship. Don’t know what’s happened with Shinrone this year, Tullamore seem to have improved, Rynaghs look to be back to their competitive level.

I might be mad, but I still feel that Kinnitty might be able to get a kick to beat one of the two teams they have left and potentially save themselves. They hurled well in stages, but need to halve their wide count and not concede any goals to have hope. Coolderry have soul searching to do after a great upset win.

Shinrone conceded to may goals simple
Coolderry are 4 players short of being
A realistic contenders
Birr looked good but it was in on small shinrone pitch
Have not seen the rest yet so can't comment.

The contrast between our stale football championship and our fantastic senior hurling race is incredible. Every team in the ten has something to offer and is worth watching for their own reasons, and with three rounds of games played, there's eight teams that can realistically say that reaching a county semi-final, or more, is very plausible. (I'm not having a dig at Kinnitty or Lusmagh there, I know they mathematically can get there, but I'd say if you offered either team guaranteed safety at senior level right now, they'd bite your hand off for it).

Was in Birr yesterday, really enjoyed the games. Was very impressed with Rynagh's, they weren't looking to do anything particularly flashy, but they're playing the game at a nice tempo, very good touch and control, and a nice spread of scoring threats with Darragh Scully and Aaron Molloy finally settled into senior hurling and looking the part at that level. Luke O'Connor looked like he needed the game time after being over in America for the Summer so I expect he'll be better as the year goes on, and they'll bring Joey O'Connor back in too.

I'm not sure that the tactic of playing Jerome Flannery as a target man on the edge of the square is working, there's very little coming off him in the games I've seen, but they've a lot of pieces in place and the K-K game next time out will help them sharpen up another bit.

Hard to know what to make of Ballinamere and Shinrone. I saw a lot of commentary on Twitter about Ballinamere dominating the game, but with 40 minutes gone Shinrone had 14 wides - that was most of it, to be honest. Meanwhile Brian Duignan was very sharp, Joe Maher couldn't miss with 0-9 from play, scored from (I think) nine shots, and even though he made a few mistakes as well, Sam Bourke made some excellent plays. Add in Dan Bourke, and they look like they're in right good shape.

I wouldn't draw a line through Shinrone yet, but not unlike Rynagh's, the "Bear in the Square" thing didn't work - Conor Doughan was a lot more of a threat there - and they did struggle badly in the full-back line. I don't care what's happening out the field, if you're conceding 3-15 from play to your direct opponents, and committing a few fouls for frees into the bargain, then you're not pulling your weight.

Not about writing them off as a team etc
It’s just difficult to see a set of results that doesn’t put them into a direct 4 points each contest with Tullamore for a knockout spot.

Maybe, but Lusmagh have a couple of good players to come back into what is already a team that is holding their own, just lacking a bit of depth. Tullamore are favourites for that game absolutely, but that'll be a right good contest and whatever about the result, I expect Lusmagh to be there or thereabouts with ten minutes to play.

I would fully expect Kinnitty to put it up to both Birr and Coolderry. The anticipated Lusmagh vs Kinnitty relegation final is far from set in stone.

frankthetank wrote: ↑Sun Aug 09, 2026 3:31 pm I would fully expect Kinnitty to put it up to both Birr and Coolderry. The anticipated Lusmagh vs Kinnitty relegation final is far from set in stone.

Kinnitty could beat Coolderry, they will compete with Birr certainly. A win maybe not.

Paddy Delaney back playing for Kinnitty on Saturday should give them a massive boost, he captained his side in Australia to a championship 2 weeks ago

whats put it up to a team now? I think Birr win by 10+ is that been competitve

greenairfield wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2026 8:57 am whats put it up to a team now? I think Birr win by 10+ is that been competitve

I presume Eoghan Cahill will be out?

Birr hurled dreadful against rynaghs for 60 minutes without him and hurled savage against Coolderry for half an hour without him - depends what Birr shows up

faithfulfanatic wrote: ↑Mon Aug 10, 2026 8:55 am Paddy Delaney back playing for Kinnitty on Saturday should give them a massive boost, he captained his side in Australia to a championship 2 weeks ago

He was outstanding against St Rynaghs.