Kilcormac-Killoughey extend winning run

Kilcormac-Killoughey added to their growing list of achievements when their 1-13 to 1-11 win over Shinrone brought their unbeaten run in the Offaly SHC to 27 games, eclipsing the record set by Birr between 2000 and 2004.

Wind-assisted Shinrone led by 0-9 to 0-5 at half time, but Dan Currams’ goal drew K-K level and a string of scores from Ciaran Slevin and James Gorman gave them sufficient cushion to hold out, despite Darragh Cleary’s late goal.

Coolderry also made it three wins from three with a 2-19 to 1-16 win over Kinnitty, but only secured victory thanks to three injury time points.

The starting full forward line of Eoin Ryan (0-4), Brian Carroll (1-3) and Damien Murray (1-7) all made hay for the side that ran K-K closest in 2014, and will face them again in the next round.

Birr were the other winners in group two as they easily accounted for Brosna Gaels by 5-34 to 1-10 in Kilcormac.

St Rynaghs and Seir Kieran are also sitting pretty with perfect records in group one.

Stephen Quirke was the only first half scorer for St Rynaghs, who led neighbours Belmont by 1-6 to 0-3 at half time after Ger Rafferty (Rynaghs) and Shane Nally (Belmont) both saw straight red cards.

A stunning goal from Damien Egan set up a tense finish but Belmont couldn’t find the scores they needed and eventually lost 1-9 to 1-5.

Ballinamere tore through the Seir Kieran defence at will on Friday night and led by 0-15 to 0-10 at half time, though an Adrian Hynes goal turned the tide and set up a 1-20 to 0-19 win for the Clareen club.

Tullamore put two one-point defeats firmly behind them on Saturday when goals from James Houlihan, Shane Kelly and Shane Dooley helped them to a 3-23 to 0-9 win over reigning Intermediate champions, Shamrocks.