Rhode started the game the stronger and with just a minute twenty on the clock Niall McNamee pointed from a free. In the fifth minute Niall Darby extended Rhode’s lead with a pointed free. Just one minute later Edenderry registered their first score of the game when Keith McGuinness pointed a free after a foul on Stuart Cullen. It was all action and just one minute later a Niall McNamee point gave Rhode a two point cushion. There would be a ten minute spell that followed without a score but in the sixteenth minute it was once again Niall McNamee who pointed for Rhode, again from a free. Edenderry upped their game with some fabulous defending from Sean Pender who dispossessed Niall McNamee and played the ball to David Hanlon. Hanlon made a great solo effort up the wing and launched a ball into Stuart Cullen who pointed for Edenderry to leave just two points between the sides. Moments later Derek Kelly had a great effort foot blocked in the square. Disaster stuck for the reds five minutes later for Edenderry when a long ball into the square was not dealt with and Niall McNamee palmed the ball into the net. Edenderry had reason to feel hard done by as it appeared to be a clear square ball but that doesn’t legislate for the fact the ball should have been cleared. Ciaran Hurley pointed for Edenderry in twenty fifth after some good play from Derek Kelly. Niall McNamee cancelled it out straight away and just two minutes from half time Niall Darby pointed for Rhode to give them a six point lead at half time. Half time: Edenderry 0-3 1-6 Rhode
In the second half Edenderry were the superior team for twenty odd minutes but Rhode demonstrated why they are champions by adding four points in the final four minutes to pull away. Derek Kelly made a great solo run through on goals and when his jersey was pulled the free was awarded when advantage should have been allowed. Ciaran Hurley pointed from the resulting kick and three minutes later Richie Dalton pointed after once again Derek Kelly saw an effort foot blocked in the square.
Niall Darby pointed for Rhode in the eight minute for their first score of the second half. Ciaran Hurley pointed for Edenderry in the fourteenth minute and Alan McNamee pointed for Rhode just one minute later. In the twentieth minute Martin Keogh kicked a great point for Edenderry and two minutes later a huge long ball in from Stephen Guing was met by Mark Young who coolly slotted past the onrushing goalie Eddie McDonnell. There was just one point between the sides and Edenderry had the momentum but they missed a free and failed to level the game. Points from Niall McNamee and Niall Darby inside a minute extended Rhode’s lead. Edenderry pressed hard and Derek Kelly pointed after some great work from Martin Keogh, Stuart Cullen and Richie Dalton.
There was just four minutes remaining with two points between the sides but once again it was Niall McNamee to the fore when Rhode needed him most. McNamee kicked three huge points in three minutes to give Rhode a five point lead with just one minute to go. Stephen Guing pointed in the closing minute for Edenderry but a late Alan McNamee point restored Rhode’s five point advantage.
Full time:
Edenderry 1-9 1-14 Rhode
Edenderry will be disappointed to have lost this local derby but the performance shown will provide encouragement for the remainder of the championship. Had a couple of decisions gone their way at crucial times perhaps the reds could have won the game. Edenderry had some fine performances throughout the field most notably from David Hanlon, Richie Dalton and Sean Pender.
Referee: Brian Gavin (Clara)
Man of the Match: Richie Dalton
Team Sheet:
Brian Quinlan, Diarmaid Meleady, David Hanlon, Wayne Mooney, Colm Byrne, Sean Pender, Daniel Nolan, Derek Kelly(0-1), Richie Dalton(0-1), Ciaran Hurley(0-3), Basil Malone, Martin Keogh(0-1), Keith McGuinness(0-1), Stuart Cullen(0-1), Mark Young(1-0)
Stephen Guing(0-1) for Colm Byrne (inj)
Colin McNamara for Daniel Nolan (inj)
