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COOLDERRY v KINNITTY
What is it about clashes between these two where normally sane individuals lose all reason in a bid to mow down the other? I’m sure it’s no accident that Brian Gavin is given the U.N. role of cooling things down, something he has been called on to do before. I suppose they’re both too stubborn to change colours to avoid a colours clash. That way, at least, lads might know who they’re hitting.
This is a repeat of last year’s semi-final, where Coolderry settled first and opened up a sizeable, wind-assisted half time lead. Kinnitty adapted a running game after the interval and two goals whittled the lead down. Joe Brady’s switch to centre-back closed off the middle, thus swinging the game Cooldery’s way. Kinnitty struggled for long periods against Shamrocks last week, which doesn’t bode well for this derby game. This Coolderry team will continue to be handicapped through not having anyone in their late 20’s or over 30 who will have a steadying influence when the going gets rough. Easily the match of the weekend though on form, county players and history, it’s hard to see beyond a Coolderry win, but after a teak-tough struggle.

BIRR v LUSMAGH
Lusmagh will be happy with their win over Belmont which sees them favourites to advance through the second spot in group 2. They don’t have the firepower to trouble Birr however, and a repeat of their 2000 win is unlikely, though that won’t worry them at this stage. John Troy’s retirement will be felt as he was usually delegated to pick up Brian Whelahan.
For Birr, expect the younger players like Dwane and Rodgers to shine.

RYNAGH’S v BALLYSKENAGH
For a small club, Ballyskenagh have a good record against Rynagh’s, mainly due to their not being neigbours. David Franks’ loss will be felt here though, ‘Skenagh don’t have the population to replace a hurler of his calibre.
Rynagh’s had a battle on their hands to beat Tullamore, largely due to them (as they frequently do) getting dragged down to the level of the opposition (instance their quarter final draw and replay against Drumcullen 2 years ago). This won’t happen here, though, as ‘Skenagh play an open brand of hurling. Rynagh’s are still the most likely to break the Birr/Coolderry duopoly and should continue their winning ways.

DRUMCULLEN v TULLAMORE
This one won’t be attracting too many neutrals. Drumcullen’s tally of 2-4 hit against Shinrone tells its own story and puts Shinrone in pole position for second place. Tullamore reportedly appear to have left behind the chance of a win over Rynagh’s. Both now need to win to stay in the race. Tullamore should win but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see it go the other way. Neither are going to go anywhere fast.

I reference your predictions here:

"Rynagh’s had a battle on their hands to beat Tullamore, largely due to them (as they frequently do) getting dragged down to the level of the opposition" .... to me this would indicate that you were at the match.

However, 3 lines later you say:

"Tullamore reportedly appear to have left behind the chance of a win over Rynagh’s.".... to me this would indicate that you were not at the match last weekend.

So, which was it? Or did you, as it would appear, just decide to write the first thing that came into your head and not really bother your ar$e to have a good think about things.

As Such Ger wrote:I reference your predictions here:

"Rynagh’s had a battle on their hands to beat Tullamore, largely due to them (as they frequently do) getting dragged down to the level of the opposition" .... to me this would indicate that you were at the match..

Maybe it does to you, but Rynaghs beating Tullamore by one, indicates they had a battle on their hands. Why? Did they not? This turned out more or less as I expected, see the "senoir hurling this weekend thread."

As Such Ger wrote: However, 3 lines later you say:

"Tullamore reportedly appear to have left behind the chance of a win over Rynagh’s.".... to me this would indicate that you were not at the match last weekend.

So, which was it? Or did you, as it would appear, just decide to write the first thing that came into your head and not really bother your ar$e to have a good think about things.

Rynagh's having to battle for said win, and Tullamore leaving it behind aren't mutually exclusive, you know.

I'm interested in the comments about St Rynagh's. Next weekend will tell a lot about them. In my opinion, from watching their game versus Tullamore, they're simply not a very impressive outfit. I take 'Plain Of The Herbs' point that they are still the most likely team to break the Birr/ Coolderry duopoly. But when does he think that might happen? Hardly within the next two or three years.

I've been as much of a sucker as anyone for the notion that Rynagh's are overdue a return to eminence, but I haven't seen anything from their seniors in the last two years that suggests that is likely to happen anytime soon, and eking by Tullamore by a point wouldn't lead me to believe that 2006 is going to be any different.

The one thing they'll always have going for themselves mean that the Rynagh's mentality will never allow the same fear at the sight of a Birr jersey that must be common among club hurlers in Offaly by now, but even still, you have to have the hurlers to at least get within five or six points of them in the first place.

I know that within the club last year's vintage of minors is seen as the crop that will finally lead them to the promised land, but without a serious step up in back up from the seniors within the club, I wouldn't expect too much.


As an aside, I'm very curious to see what happens between Drumcullen and Tullamore this weekend. The sash boys have been woeful for a long time now, but even still last weekend has to have been an all time low. I don't know if it was a one off or not, so this game with Tullamore will be very interesting.