Championship intensity returned to the fore in Tullamore last night.
The Offaly Senior Hurling Championship got underway last night.
Ballinamere and Birr played out an entertaining draw in Tullamore.
Brian Duignan and Mike O'Brien netted a quickfire double for Ballinamere to give them apparent control of the game.
However late error in their backline gifted Birr and Ailbe Watkins a reprieve that they took full advantage of to close the gap at the break to just one point.
The second half was an end to end, scrappy affair, with no more than two points between the sides at any one stage.
The final score in O'Connor Park was Ballinamere 2-17 Birr 1-20.
Birr's manager Gary Cahill tells Midlands 103's David Hollywood it was a good contest and his side produced a mixed-bag:
Niall Rigney says his Ballinamere players aren't delighted with how they played:
Our coverage of the Offaly Senior Hurling Championship is with thanks to Leahy Midlands Auctioneers.
If you're thinking of buying or selling a property in Laois, Offaly or Westmeath, John Leahy auctioneers are the experts - leahyauctioneers.ie
Offaly Camogie Maintain Senior Satutus For 2027
Alex Dunne Finishes 7th At Austrian Grand Prix In Formula 2
World Cup: Canada Win Opening Round Of 32 Match
Travelers Championship To Be Completed By Play-Off
Westmeath Ladies Seal All-Ireland Semi-Final Spot
Alex Dunne To Start At Front Of Grid In F2 Austrian Grand Prix
Athlone Chasing Overdue Win In Lissywollen
Leadership And Desire Carrying Offaly Through Camogie Championship
Laois And Offaly Continue Junior And Intermediate Championship Campaigns
Offaly Golf Club To Host Memorial Day For Paul Loonam
Offaly Camogie Entertain Clare In Must Win Encounter
Offaly’s Ellen Regan Defies Injury As Heatwave Championship Battle Heats Up
Westmeath Ladies Looking To Reach All-Ireland Intermediate Semi-Finals
Shane Lowry Hoping For Positive Week At Travelers Championship
Offaly Golfer Aiming For Big Week At Open Championship
Shane Lowry Turns Attention To Travelers Championship
Midlands Players Selected On Ireland Squad For Australian Football League Women's Clash
Midlands Golfers To Compete At European Amateur Team Championships