Offaly Senior B Hurling Championship

[faithfulfanatic]

Senior B Championship kicks off Friday 10th July.
Seir Kieran are down from senior and Drumcullen up from intermediate.

Seir Kieran
Club steeped in tradition will be looking to bounce straight back up. Trained by Brian Troy. Won Division 1 hurling league which is fair going, especially considering that nobody else in this championship was operating at that level. Sean Carey was a standout for the Offaly u20s. Round 1 v Drumcullen is deserving of a prime time slot on RTE (or else Fight Night).

KK
Faltered a bit last year, taking a heavy beating from Lusmagh in the semi final. Not sure if it's the same management as Senior A team, but I assume the training is all done together. Won the Division 2 final last night, with a comprehensive win over Drumcullen. Brian Guinan (brother of Ter) steps up from underage. Does anyone know if some of their other county u20s are old enough or which team they will operate with (Fletcher and Carroll specifically). Mark Mulrooney and Harry Sweeney came on for Senior Bs last night but I'd expect they would be hurling Senior A, definitely Mulrooney anyway? Stephen Leonard and Conor Lowry hurled last night, both were big underage players 9-10 years ago before drifting away. Didn't see Karl Guinan or Peter Geraghty listed? Round 1 v Carrig isn't until the 17th.

Drumcullen
Back up from intermediate and will look to consolidate their status. Trained by Mark Dunne from Eyrecourt. Should be targeting Clara and CG for wins. Gave Carrig a big beating in Div 2 semi final so they do have potential. Had 2 or 3 involved with Offaly u20s. Podge Guinan seems to be plagued by injury. Discipline isn't always their forte but it will be vital this year.

Clara
Came very close to reaching a county final last year only for a brilliant save from Liam Hoare. Trained by Ciaran Flannery from Banagher. Things not going aswell so far this year, with a Div 3 final loss to Shamrocks. Kevin Corrigan was scathing of their discipline in an article following this - both from the line and on the pitch. Players fighting over who gets to take a free and the likes is never going to bode well. Conor Doyle missed this game as he was on holidays. Didn't stand out in last year's championship but has a years IC hurling under the belt now. I think Cathal O'Meara is still sidelined with ACL but should be due back at some stage. Senior A football this year could stunt their progress. Round 1 v Clodiagh Gaels will define a lot of their year.

Carrig
Trained by Steve Killeen and Bonner Maher. Was rumours of infighting early in the year and that Bonner had stepped away but he is on board now. Former Connacht rugby player Shane Delahunt has been doing the physical work. Would have been many people's pre championship favourites but Seir Kieran's form is hard to ignore. Need to utilise Cathal King far better than they did last year. The window to win a championship can be small - need to take advantage.

Clodiagh Gaels
Operated well below their potential last year. Trained by Ned Casey and Stephen Corcoran (Coolderry) this year. Have plenty of good hurlers but need it all to come together. I don't think Joey Keenaghan has returned. Also unsure if Dylan Hyland is playing - a very capable hurler. He missed some time with Raheen last year and may want to preserve himself for a tilt at the football this year. As stated above, round 1 v Clara is crucial.

[frankthetank]

Just a few observations on an excellent post:

1. Seir Kieran’s league success is a bit of an outlier. They won 1 game in the group vs Kinnitty and qualified for the semi final. The format of the qualifying structure was shambolic. They then beat an absolutely anemic Birr team. Actually borderline useless. And in the final they beat a Coolderry team with 14 men for the majority of the game.

While it might boost confidence they wouldn’t want to be hanging their hat on it. Especially considering how they threw the towel in, in the one game that counted last year i.e. the relegation final.

2. K/K’s are utterly dependent on who hurls Senior A. If they manage it like they did last year they won’t win it. If they manage it like they did in 2024 they will be huge contenders.

3. Clodiagh Gaels were to all extents and purposes deplorable in their Division 2 semi-final loss to K/K. Joey Keenahan came on as a sub I think. Wouldn’t rate their chances at all.

4. Drumcullen might come with a bit of a team in a few years. Between Offaly minors and U21’s this year they had 5 players who made matchday squads. Only K/K could provide more (8). They should stay up, probably qualify for semi finals.

[faithfulfanatic]

Just a few observations on an excellent post:

1. Seir Kieran’s league success is a bit of an outlier. They won 1 game in the group vs Kinnitty and qualified for the semi final. The format of the qualifying structure was shambolic. They then beat an absolutely anemic Birr team. Actually borderline useless. And in the final they beat a Coolderry team with 14 men for the majority of the game.

While it might boost confidence they wouldn’t want to be hanging their hat on it. Especially considering how they threw the towel in, in the one game that counted last year i.e. the relegation final.

2. K/K’s are utterly dependent on who hurls Senior A. If they manage it like they did last year they won’t win it. If they manage it like they did in 2024 they will be huge contenders.

3. Clodiagh Gaels were to all extents and purposes deplorable in their Division 2 semi-final loss to K/K. Joey Keenahan came on as a sub I think. Wouldn’t rate their chances at all.

4. Drumcullen might come with a bit of a team in a few years. Between Offaly minors and U21’s this year they had 5 players who made matchday squads. Only K/K could provide more (8). They should stay up, probably qualify for semi finals.

Conor Langton has transferred to a club in Edinburgh, big loss for Clodiagh Gaels.
Big absentees for KK's Senior A team (Kiely, Mitchell, Screeney) could have a big impact on their Senior Bs.

[faithfulfanatic]

8 point win for Clodiagh Gaels over Clara last night.
Conor Langton gone but they have plenty of capable players - Liam Langton, Dylan Hyland, Joey Keenaghan, Bradys and Dunnes.
Disappointing from Clara who had 4 lads on the u20 all ireland winning panel, with Conor Doyle starting for Offaly seniors this year and Barry Egan on the panel last year. Cormac Delaney is also a very strong hurler.

Reading the match report and talking to someone at the game, Conor Doyle did very little which is disappointing from someone who started against Cork a month ago. He is very athletic and quick but the hurling ability isn’t at the very top level I think.

This win puts CG in a very commanding spot - 1 more win would more than likely put them in a semi final.
Clara’s back are against the wall now - a win against Ballycommon in the football next weekend could cause further damage to their hurling ambitions.

[frankthetank]

Does anyone else feel the structure of this competition, with 4 teams qualifying allows you too many safety nets in the group stage?

Personally I would like to see Team 1 qualify for the final an Team 2 and 3 meet in the semi final. Team 4’s season is over and Team 5 and Team 6 play in relegation final.

After 18 group games only 2 teams are eliminated. Lessens the integrity of the group stage and the championship as a whole in my opinion.

[private joker]

8 point win for Clodiagh Gaels over Clara last night.
Conor Langton gone but they have plenty of capable players - Liam Langton, Dylan Hyland, Joey Keenaghan, Bradys and Dunnes.
Disappointing from Clara who had 4 lads on the u20 all ireland winning panel, with Conor Doyle starting for Offaly seniors this year and Barry Egan on the panel last year. Cormac Delaney is also a very strong hurler.

Reading the match report and talking to someone at the game, Conor Doyle did very little which is disappointing from someone who started against Cork a month ago. He is very athletic and quick but the hurling ability isn’t at the very top level I think.

This win puts CG in a very commanding spot - 1 more win would more than likely put them in a semi final.
Clara’s back are against the wall now - a win against Ballycommon in the football next weekend could cause further damage to their hurling ambitions.

Conor Doyle was played at 6.?

[Hasselhoff]

Does anyone else feel the structure of this competition, with 4 teams qualifying allows you too many safety nets in the group stage?

Personally I would like to see Team 1 qualify for the final an Team 2 and 3 meet in the semi final. Team 4’s season is over and Team 5 and Team 6 play in relegation final.

After 18 group games only 2 teams are eliminated. Lessens the integrity of the group stage and the championship as a whole in my opinion.

It's one of the better championships in Offaly in my opinion.
It's always very close.. You could have a chance of winning it and getting to a final and also if you lose a game or two be in contention for relegation.

If the top team gets straight to the final, would they be waiting four weeks for a game while the other semi final plays off

[Anon444]

I wouldn’t mind seeing the Senior B and Senior A amalgamated into 1 and then run the Senior B after. Something like the football, where there’s a stronger and weaker group/tiered groups, those who qualify contest Senior A proper then those who don’t go into the Senior B.

I know it’s a random enough point, but I think it could have potential to develop a lot more teams.

[faithfulfanatic]

8 point win for Clodiagh Gaels over Clara last night.
Conor Langton gone but they have plenty of capable players - Liam Langton, Dylan Hyland, Joey Keenaghan, Bradys and Dunnes.
Disappointing from Clara who had 4 lads on the u20 all ireland winning panel, with Conor Doyle starting for Offaly seniors this year and Barry Egan on the panel last year. Cormac Delaney is also a very strong hurler.

Reading the match report and talking to someone at the game, Conor Doyle did very little which is disappointing from someone who started against Cork a month ago. He is very athletic and quick but the hurling ability isn’t at the very top level I think.

This win puts CG in a very commanding spot - 1 more win would more than likely put them in a semi final.
Clara’s back are against the wall now - a win against Ballycommon in the football next weekend could cause further damage to their hurling ambitions.

Conor Doyle was played at 6.?

Doyle was centre back - Eoin Dunne had 3 points off him at half time and Doyle was moved to the forwards

[Lone Shark]

I wouldn’t mind seeing the Senior B and Senior A amalgamated into 1 and then run the Senior B after. Something like the football, where there’s a stronger and weaker group/tiered groups, those who qualify contest Senior A proper then those who don’t go into the Senior B.

I know it’s a random enough point, but I think it could have potential to develop a lot more teams.

In theory there's a lot to like about this and at underage level it is employed with mixed results, but there's no looking past human psychology and in the history of the GAA (and in Offaly in particular) there is a very poor record when it comes to teams that miss out on their primary target then regrouping for a secondary competition.

I'd love if we had 16 teams capable of fighting it out for the Robbins/Dowling Cup, but to be honest, we don't have 10 in either code, and having huge swathes of teams at a decent level competing in a competition that they can't win is not the way to go.

I can't speak for them, but I'd say if you asked someone in Lusmagh or Clara if they were happy to make that step and win a senior B, to get Leinster competition at a decent level, and then go from there to make the step up into top tier competition, I'd say they'd be fairly happy with the status quo and how it serves them. Just having the memory of winning a proper championship and the boost they'll take from that will stand to the two teams.

Then you have the corollary, that if you have 16 teams in senior A with the Senior B run off as a "repechage" style competition, what happens when an establishment team (Rhode, Rynaghs, Edenderry, Birr etc.) drops back into it after a bad few games in the group stage. Winning a Senior B would mean nothing to them, but if they did regroup and get back into top form, it would spoil it for everyone else.

[Offaly Hero]

I wouldn’t mind seeing the Senior B and Senior A amalgamated into 1 and then run the Senior B after. Something like the football, where there’s a stronger and weaker group/tiered groups, those who qualify contest Senior A proper then those who don’t go into the Senior B.

I know it’s a random enough point, but I think it could have potential to develop a lot more teams.

In theory there's a lot to like about this and at underage level it is employed with mixed results, but there's no looking past human psychology and in the history of the GAA (and in Offaly in particular) there is a very poor record when it comes to teams that miss out on their primary target then regrouping for a secondary competition.

I'd love if we had 16 teams capable of fighting it out for the Robbins/Dowling Cup, but to be honest, we don't have 10 in either code, and having huge swathes of teams at a decent level competing in a competition that they can't win is not the way to go.

I can't speak for them, but I'd say if you asked someone in Lusmagh or Clara if they were happy to make that step and win a senior B, to get Leinster competition at a decent level, and then go from there to make the step up into top tier competition, I'd say they'd be fairly happy with the status quo and how it serves them. Just having the memory of winning a proper championship and the boost they'll take from that will stand to the two teams.

Then you have the corollary, that if you have 16 teams in senior A with the Senior B run off as a "repechage" style competition, what happens when an establishment team (Rhode, Rynaghs, Edenderry, Birr etc.) drops back into it after a bad few games in the group stage. Winning a Senior B would mean nothing to them, but if they did regroup and get back into top form, it would spoil it for everyone else.

Agree completely with this. There is something about the GAA psychology that is completely against B competitions that teams are ‘knocked out’ into.

Case in point. Watch this October/November of unbridled joyous scenes up and down the country of teams winning their county senior B/intermediate/junior championship. Watch the celebrations of the team that win the Joe McDonagh cup.

Now compare that with the attitude and commentary towards the Taitleann cup. Teams only ever talk about trying to get out of it.

I’m convinced the Taitleann cup would be completely rejuvenated by calling it the senior B Chamionship, timing it in tandem with the Sam Maguire/senior championship and setting the teams that will take part in it from the very beginning of the year.

[Jim Troy]

Agree.
What you do in 2026 league determines the league you are in for 2027 league

What you do in 2026 championship determines what you are in for 2027 championship

It has been good enough for clubs for 80/100 years to be competing at a level below the top level with your first team.
Why isn’t it good enough for counties?

A lot of counties fooling themselves into wanting to be in the Sam Maguire at all costs when they have no notion of winning anything.

[Anon444]

I do think it could be possible, but I hear your points. I understand that the Senior B teams would be going into a competition they couldn’t realistically win, but I feel that the exposure to playing the better teams will bring them on. If there is such a gap, then the teams that should be in the Senior B will end up in the Senior B, then whoever wins this championship would go on into Leinster Intermediate.

I don’t like the way that the last couple of years teams were saved from relegation by KK’s B’s winning.

[Faithfully]

I wouldn’t mind seeing the Senior B and Senior A amalgamated into 1 and then run the Senior B after. Something like the football, where there’s a stronger and weaker group/tiered groups, those who qualify contest Senior A proper then those who don’t go into the Senior B.

I know it’s a random enough point, but I think it could have potential to develop a lot more teams.

In theory there's a lot to like about this and at underage level it is employed with mixed results, but there's no looking past human psychology and in the history of the GAA (and in Offaly in particular) there is a very poor record when it comes to teams that miss out on their primary target then regrouping for a secondary competition.

I'd love if we had 16 teams capable of fighting it out for the Robbins/Dowling Cup, but to be honest, we don't have 10 in either code, and having huge swathes of teams at a decent level competing in a competition that they can't win is not the way to go.

I can't speak for them, but I'd say if you asked someone in Lusmagh or Clara if they were happy to make that step and win a senior B, to get Leinster competition at a decent level, and then go from there to make the step up into top tier competition, I'd say they'd be fairly happy with the status quo and how it serves them. Just having the memory of winning a proper championship and the boost they'll take from that will stand to the two teams.

Then you have the corollary, that if you have 16 teams in senior A with the Senior B run off as a "repechage" style competition, what happens when an establishment team (Rhode, Rynaghs, Edenderry, Birr etc.) drops back into it after a bad few games in the group stage. Winning a Senior B would mean nothing to them, but if they did regroup and get back into top form, it would spoil it for everyone else.

Agree completely with this. There is something about the GAA psychology that is completely against B competitions that teams are ‘knocked out’ into.

Case in point. Watch this October/November of unbridled joyous scenes up and down the country of teams winning their county senior B/intermediate/junior championship. Watch the celebrations of the team that win the Joe McDonagh cup.

Now compare that with the attitude and commentary towards the Taitleann cup. Teams only ever talk about trying to get out of it.

I’m convinced the Taitleann cup would be completely rejuvenated by calling it the senior B Chamionship, timing it in tandem with the Sam Maguire/senior championship and setting the teams that will take part in it from the very beginning of the year.

Your last sentence is the crucial one. In fairness, I think it is hard for the likes of a Down to go from beating Donegal and dreaming of big days out, to having that horrible dashed and playing the likes of London and Waterford in front of 500 people. Push back from counties would be a huge hurdle to locking in the teams I reckon...

[faithfulfanatic]

Army and riot police around the Clareen area ahead of this morning’s match - should be a cracker!