3-9 to 1-10, Tullamore by 2-14 to 2-8, then Kilcormac/ Killoughey by 3-16 to 1-10 in the Quarter-final. Joe Dooley inspired many of their best passages of play. It was the same story against Coolderry on 25 October, when the black and amber avenged their May defeat (3-10 to 1-10) and stormed into their tenth Offaly Senior Hurling Final since 1985. In a tense and scrappy decider on 10 November 1998, St Rynagh's scored 1-6 from play (to only 0-1 from play for the Clareen men). However, Johnny Dooley converted from each of the ten frees (including a last-minute '65) awarded within scoring range, and the sides finished deadlocked (Seir Kieran 0-11, St Rynagh's 1-8). Thirteen days later, the two clubs renewed their epic rivalry. Seir Kieran prevailed by 1-11 to 0-8. Amidst jubilant scenes in St Brendan's Park, Kevin Kinahan lifted the Sean Robbins Cup, the last act of a quite extraordinary Offaly Senior Hurling Championship. The following day (Sunday 22 November) the team traveled to Arklow and beat Kiltegan by 2-12 to 0-9. As was the case in 1988, 1995 and 1996, the Leinster Club Semi-final at Nowlan Park proved a bridge too far. On 29 November, Rathnure beat the Offaly standard-bearers by 3-11 to 2-8. Nonetheless, the year 1998 stands among Seir Kieran's finest, as was well expressed in a message from Carrig & Riverstown, another rural club: "Well done to Seir Kieran on winning the County Final in Birr last Saturday. Apart from being unlucky in last year's Final they have now won four Championships. They give great hope for the survival and the future of small clubs." Losing the crown – Seir Kieran and Offaly in 1999 In April 1999, Seir Kieran reached another Offaly Junior Hurling League decider. Although they lost to Lusmagh in the Final (4-7 to 3-6), their battling display augured well for the fast-approaching championships. Seir Kieran's defence of their Senior Title opened on the first of May, with a 3-7 to 0-11 win over Drumcullen – although "the Sash" stayed in the lead until late on. Seir Kieran also looked vulnerable against Kilcormac/ Killoughey in the second round. With Johnny Dooley again out, the black and amber had 14 wides and lost by 1-14 to 3-6. When the Offaly SHC resumed in August, Sseir Kieran proved themselves back on song with a 1-16 to 0-10 win over Coolderry. Rath was