Shinrone deny K/K Offaly SHC semi-final spot

Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac-Kiloughey) and Adrian Cleary (Shinrone) ©INPHO/Ashley Cahill

A late free from Donal Morkan earned Shinrone a 0-19 to 1-16 draw with Kilcormac/Killoughey in Birr yesterday to deny the three-in-a-row chasing champions a direct route into the semi-finals.

Instead, K/K will face Ballinamere in a repeat of last year’s county final as Belmont – who had already completed their programme of group matches – unexpectedly topped Group 2. Shinrone, for their part, will meet neighbours Coolderry in the other quarter-final.

Joining Belmont in the semi-finals are a rejuvenated Birr who edged out Ballinamere by 1-19 to 2-15 in Group 1 on Saturday. A much-improved Tullamore were desperately unlucky to miss out on a knockout place after losing to Coolderry by a point in the same section.

The quarter-finals will take place on the weekend after next with dates, times and venues to be confirmed. Kinnitty and Seir Kieran will contest the SHC relegation final on the same weekend after the once-mighty St Rynagh’s defeated the former yesterday to preserve their status.