Senior County Final Defeat

Post date: Oct 27, 2014 2:3:51 PM

Rhode 0-13

Edenderry 1-7

The Dowling Cup resides in Rhode for the 7^th time since 2004 following their three point win over their near neighbours Edenderry, played before a crowd of 5,314 in O’Connor Pk, Tullamore this afternoon.

Edenderry had the game’s opening score in the 4^th minute, when Derek Kelly pointed a free. However, two Niall McNamee points had the Rhode men in front by the 6^th minute and they were never subsequently headed. Rhode’s first goal chance came in the 8^th minute when Eoghan Byrne raced up fielded before transferring to Anton Sullivan who’s goal bound shot just skimmed the top of the crossbar. Derek Kelly pointed his second free of the game in the 11^th minute, but again Rhode responded with two Niall McNamee points to leave them 0-5 to 0-2 in front at the end of the first quarter. Edenderry substitute Adam Mahon narrowed the gap on 18 minutes, and they had a further chance when gaining a 45’, but Richie Dalton’s effort fell just short. Niall Darby and Sean Doyle swapped points before the break to leave the half time score Rhode 0-6 Edenderry 0-4.

On the resumption Edenderry had two early wides, before a brace of points from Paul McPadden gave Rhode a four point advantage. McPadden then saw an effort come back off the post and Niall McNamee was on hand to flash the ball over the bar. Further points from Niall Darby and Niall McNamee had Rhode 0-11 to 0-4 in front after 40 minutes. However, they only scored two more points in the final 20 minutes as Edenderry came more into the game. Edenderry were thrown a lifeline at the end of the third quarter when substitute Mark Young got on the end of a Sean Doyle free to fist the ball to the net. Two minutes later Niall McNamee saw his free come back off the post, but his was quickest to react and sent the ball over the crossbar. With eleven minutes to go Derek Kelly scored a great point for Edenderry to again cut the deficit to four 0-12 to 1-5. Paul McPadden with his third point of the game eased the pressure for Rhode before two pointed Edenderry frees from Sean Moriarty and Sean Doyle left just a goal between them as the game entered injury time. In that two minutes of injury Edenderry did have a half chance of a goal, but the Rhode defence stood firm and held on for a well-deserved 26^th senior title.

After the game Sean Grogan, Captain of the Offaly Minor All-Ireland winning team of 1964, who were guests of honours at the final, presented the Red Shop, Man of The Match award to Rhode full back Eoin Rigney.

Scorers:

Rhode: Niall McNamee 0-7 (0-3f), Paul McPadden 0-3, Niall Darby 0-2, Anton Sullivan 0-1,

Edenderry: Derek Kelly 0-3 (0-2f), Mark Young 1-0, Sean Doyle 0-2, Adam Mahon 0-1, Sean Moriarty 0-1 (f),

Rhode: Ken Garry, Jake Kavanagh, Eoin Rigney, James McPadden, Ciaran Heavy, Brian Darby, Eoghan Byrne, Alan McNamee, Conor McNamee, Niall Darby, Pauric Sullivan (Capt), Darren Garry, Paul McPadden, Anton Sullivan, Niall McNamee Subs: Glenn O’Connell for D Garry, Ruairi McNamee for P McPadden

Edenderry: Brian Quinlan, Colm Byrne, Sean Marshall, Sean Pender, Basil Malone, Stephen Guing, Stuart Cullen, Richie Dalton(Capt), Derek Kelly, David Hanlon, Ciaran Hurley, Keith McGuinness, Sean Doyle, Aaron McDonnell, Sean Moriarty Subs: Adam Mahon for Marshall, Mark Young for B Malone, Oran Lawton for Dalton (black card), Ciaran Farrell for Hurley, Daniel Nolan for McGuinness

Wides: Rhode 10 Edenderry 8

Ref: Damien Brazil (Shannonbridge)