Seniors beat Rhode in League Semi

Edenderry 2-9

Rhode 0-12

Edenderry seniors advanced to the league final for the first time since 1997 after they recorded a three point victory over near neighbours Rhode.

Played at beautifully prepared grounds in Ballyfore on a fine summers evening Edenderry were fully deserving of their win and even managed to afford a missed penalty in the first half.

Edenderry got out of the traps first when Dan Nolan and Ciaran Hurley combined to put Martin Keogh through who fisted the ball over the bar after just thirty seconds. Rhode responded three minutes later when Paschal Kellaghan pointed for Rhode. On six minutes Rhode took the lead through Niall Darby when he pointed from a free. There was a lull of seven minutes without a score but on thirteen minutes it was Paschal Kellaghan who put Rhode two ahead. Three minutes later Niall Darby kicked a great score for Rhode and they appeared to be in control of the game.

Edenderry opted their game and just one minute later Stuart Cullen pointed his first of the game which he quickly followed up with his second just three minutes later after Sean Pender broke out of defence with the ball, laid it off to Basil Malone who gave it Cullen for Edenderry’s third score of the game. Derek Kelly levelled the sides on twenty three minutes after some great fielding from Richie Dalton but it was instantly cancelled out by Niall Darby just one minute later. Their was just two minutes to half time when Ciaran Hurley kicked his first score of the game to level the sides at 0-5 a piece but Edenderry were awarded a penalty in injury time after a foul on Martin Keogh. Stuart Cullen stepped up but his effort was brilliantly saved by Rhode goalkeeper Eddie McDonnell.

Half time

Edenderry 0-5

Rhode 0-5

Having trailed for most of the first half Edenderry re-grouped at half time and put in an excellent second half performance. Mark Young opened the scoring after one minute to give the reds the lead, a lead they never lost for the remainder of the game. With the second half just three minutes old Stuart Cullen won a free which he took quickly and played through Ciaran Hurley who coolly slotted the ball to the back of the net and put Edenderry in front 1-6 to 0-5. Two minutes later Niall McNamee reduced the deficit to three points but two excellent 40 yard points inside a minute from wing back Dan Nolan shot the reds into a five point lead. Rhode enjoyed a four minute spell and kicked three points, one from Eoin Rigney and two from Niall Darby, one free.

There was now just two between the sides but on the fifteenth minute Mark Young put Stuart Cullen through and Stuart kicked his third point of the game to give the reds back a three point cushion. Four minutes later Rhode took a short kick-out to Alan McNamee who was tackled hard by Johnny Hurst and the ball broke loose to Basil Malone who played off a slip pass to the on-rushing Ciaran Hurley who made up over 40 yards, veered to his left and finished the ball to the back of the net to put Edenderry six points ahead with just eleven minutes to go. In the 21^st minute Paschal Kellaghan registered his third score of the game but there would be no more scores until deep into injury time when a Niall Darby free and a Niall McNamee point closed the gap to three points. Edenderry were not to be denied however and referee Padraig Pierce called full time. Edenderry were reduced to 14 men with seven minutes remaining after Johnny Hurst received two yellow cards but the reds held out in the end to record their first win over Rhode since the 6^th June 2006.

On the day Edenderry management could be very pleased with the effort they received from every player. Sean Pender and David Hanlon were excellent with Derek Kelly and Richie Dalton coming out on top of the midfield battle. Basil Malone won a tremendous amount of breaks around the middle and overall Edenderry deserved their win and to reach their first league final since 1997.

Referee: Padraig Pierce

Man of the Match: David Hanlon

Team Sheet:

Brian Quinlan, Diarmaid Meleady, David Hanlan, Sean Pender, Colm Byrne, Johnny Hurst, Daniel Nolan(0-2), Derek Kelly(0-1), RIchie Dalton(Capt), Ciaran Hurley(2-1), Basil Malone, Martin Keogh(0-1), Mark Young(0-1), Keith McGuinness, Stuart Cullen(0-3)

Subs: Wayne Mooney for Martin Keogh

John Gorman, Aaron O'Connell, Peter O'Neill, Stephen Abbott, Padraig Foy, Pat Moloney, Daniel Ryan, Andrew Forde