The Offaly SHC semi-finalists were confirmed following a dramatic last round of group games on Sunday.

Three-in-a-row chasing St Rynagh’s will meet Kilcormac/Killoughey in a repeat of the Covid-delayed 2020 final, which was only played a couple of months ago, with Coolderry and Shinrone facing off in the other semi-final. Bord na Mona O'Connor Park will host the St Rynagh's v Kilcormac/Killoughey semi-final on Sunday week, November 6 at 2.30, while St Brendan's Park in Birr will stage the Coolderry v Shinrone clash at the same time.

Despite bringing St Rynagh’s 100% record to an end with a sensational 1-23 to 0-13 victory, four-time All-Ireland champions Birr were the big losers. But Shinrone’s even more emphatic 4-19 to 0-11 win over Kinnitty, coupled with a 2-15 to 1-18 draw between Ballinamere and Belmont, meant they nabbed the last semi-final spot on the head-to-head rule, having beaten Brendan Bugler’s side earlier in the campaign.

Coolderry, who started the day in third place, ended up topping the group on score difference thanks to a 0-20 to 1-15 victory over Seir Kieran. Kilcormac/Killoughey finished second after hammering neighbours Drumcullen 2-24 to 0-10, with St Rynagh’s coming next. Coolderry, Kilcormac/Killoughey and St Rynagh’s all finished on eight points, with Shinrone taking fourth place with six points.

The irony of Shinrone reaching the last four in a year when there were no quarter-finals – which have traditional been their stumbling block – won’t be lost on anyone in Offaly hurling.

The relegation playoff will be between Seir Kieran and Drumcullen, who finished the group series point-less.

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