Edenderry are the big early casualties in the Offaly SFC after they suffered a third straight defeat at the hands of Ferbane last weekend.

Having lost heavily to Tullamore and Shamrocks in the first two rounds, the Reds were eliminated ahead of their final Group 1 outing against local rivals Rhode after a 1-12 to 4-15 defeat to the runners-up of the past three years. There was a real sense of anticipation in Edenderry when Peter Brady returned as manager at the start of the season, but it hasn’t worked out for the club and county legend who has badly missed the scoring prowess of star forward Cian Farrell, who has spent the summer in the US.

In the same group, four-in-a-row chasing Tullamore made it two wins from two after seeing off neighbours Shamrocks by 2-14 to 1-12, and are on course to top the table and reach the semi-finals with games to come against Ferbane and Rhode, who had a bye in Round 3.

Shamrocks and Rhode come next on three points, with Ferbane on two and Edenderry on none.

In the weaker Group 2, last year’s senior ‘B’ champions Clara defeated Clonbullogue by 0-20 to 1-9, while Durrow are all but out after losing to Ballycommon by 1-12 to 0-21 on Sunday afternoon. Durrow manager Shane Curran was missing from the sideline after opting to travel to Croke Park to see his daughter Abby win an All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Championship with Roscommon.

Clara and Ballycommon both have four points, followed by Bracknagh on three, Clonbullogue on one and Durrow on none.

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