Tullamore back up their title credentials
Kevin Egan Column
When the final whistle sounded on the 2021 Offaly SFC, there was a strong sense that this was to be the first championship out of a long run of success for Tullamore.
In what was effectively the inverse of the 2020 final, a late goal for Rhode only served to mask how dominant Tullamore had been over the course of the game, while a man of the match award for 18-year-old John Furlong was a reminder of Niall McNamee shooting 2-8 against Gracefield in 2004, to win the first of what would be several such honours over the course of McNamee’s long career.
Yet by the time the ball threw in for Tullamore's game against Shamrocks last Friday evening, Furlong was one of several high-profile young players absent from the Tullamore line-up, suggesting that the town side might have come back to meet the pack.
Fast forward to this week, and Tullamore look as far ahead as ever. They were comfortable and assured in their victory over a decent Shamrocks side, and were by far the most impressive side on display.
Rhode looked strong in attack but vulnerable in defence against Edenderry, even though the Reds for their part are a shadow of themselves in the absence of Cian Farrell.
Ferbane showed plenty of grit to score the last three points in a row and salvage a draw against Cappincur, though there was very little more that could be said about their performance that would point to the likelihood of a meaningful tilt at the Dowling Cup.
Clara’s one-point win over Durrow sets them up for a much more comfortable campaign as it’s unlikely that they will get drawn into relegation trouble now, while they seem to have a good attacking system built around Graham Guilfoyle at full-forward.
Ultimately, however, this was a first round where the champions looked good, and for all the satisfaction that will be felt in Clara, Rhode and Cappincur at the results they secured, the chasing pack still have a lot of chasing to do.
*2021 hurling finalists under pressure
Out of the four games down for decision in the Offaly SHC over the coming weekend, by some distance the standout fixture is tomorrow’s contest in St Brendan’s Park between Coolderry and Ballinamere (Saturday, Birr, 5.15).
2021 county finalists Coolderry, who came agonisingly close to knocking over St Rynagh’s in last year’s final, have only played one game so far but if they lose to Ballinamere, it’s entirely possible that their fate will no longer be in their own hands. For the majority of their first game against Belmont, Coolderry were competent but not much better than that. Then, in the closing stages, they were overwhelmed.
Ballinamere pose a very different threat. Unlike Belmont, who are defensively solid but very reliant on running at opponents and drawing frees, Ballinamere are a much more physical, direct team that will mix up short and long deliveries and look to pose a goal threat. That might actually suit Coolderry that bit more, as will the fact that the Ballinamere camp is likely to be a bit deflated after the Durrow footballers' narrow defeat.
If Coolderry have the conditioning to hurl at full pelt for 60 minutes, they might pick up something here, but that’s a big if.
In the other games, Seir Kieran are also in dire need of a win but there’s no obvious reason to suspect they’ll get it up against Shinrone (Saturday, Birr, 7pm).
Clodiagh Gaels were desperately unlucky against Kilcormac-Killoughey but still are unlikely to trouble St Rynagh’s in Tullamore on Saturday.
The local derby between Kilcormac-Killoughey and Kinnitty tonight (Friday) is something of a free hit for the Slieve Bloom men. Realistically, their aspirations to reach a quarter-final look certain to hinge on the result of their clash with Birr. The only difference that tonight’s game will make is if they can keep their scoring difference in good shape, or possibly even pick up a draw or a narrow victory, they can ensure that a draw with Birr will be sufficient when that game comes around.