Rhode Boys Wins Long Awaited Title

Rhode Primary School boys gave it everything they had in O\’Brien Park last Saturday and they finally reaped the reward for hard word and years of sheer perseverance in claiming their Cumann na mBun scoil title.  They had an unbeaten passage through to the final with victories over Daingean, Croghan, Cloneygowan and Bracknagh.  A combination of skill, bravery and endurance ensured that the Rhode boys maintained the proud tradition of their parish and successfully wore the mighty green and gold colours with pride.

Away to a flying start Rhode got stuck in with team captain Gavin Young clearly up for the challenge sending two points over the bar.  Liam Curley in midfield was quick to follow suit with a wonderfully taken point from midfield.  Both corner forwards Shane and Jack Murphy rattled the net shortly afterwards with great goals and Rhode were well and truly on their way.  Owen Dalton and Cillian Murphy also got in on the action with some tremendous scores in the first half.  The work rate of midfielder Liam Hagney and the bravery of Rhode backs Barry Coffey, Jordan Kilmurray, Cian Murphy and Christian Taylor ensured that the Daingean tally was just 1-1 at half time.  This of course was hugely assisted by Rhode\’s ever reliable goal keeper Shane Dunne who throughout the game made some amazing saves.  James Lynch was outstanding in his defensive position against one of Daingean\’s most influential players.

They say \”beware of the sting of a dying bee\” and in the second half of the match Daingean came out fighting.  Daingean really upped their game and in a matter of minutes rattled up a tally of scores, reducing Rhode\’s fine lead to just two points and for a few moments the nightmare of Rhode\’s defeat two years ago appeared to loom.  However \”when the going gets tough the tough get going\” and true to their tradition Rhode battled back and in the final minutes came a glorious goal by Jack Murphy and a brilliant point by substitute Harry Jones sending a clear message that Rhode had the bit between their teeth and they were not going to be beaten.  Huge cheers from the large band of Rhode supporters emanated from the stand when the referee blew the final whistle.

No team is complete without its full panel of players and this Rhode team possesses a bench of quality substitutes.  Each and every one of them contributed to the team\’s marvellous success and proved that hard work really does pay off.  They are Brian Ennis, Thomas McAuliffe, Harry Jones, Luke Spollen, Adam Glynn, Dylan Kilmurray, Garry Kiernan, Ryan Lynch, Dylan Lynch and Oisin McDevitt.  Well done to all.

St. Michael\’s 2-18

St. Coleman\’s 0-6

St. Michael\’s The Rhode Parish team qualified for the semi final of the Offaly Under 21 championship when they recorded a 2-18 to 0-6 win over St. Coleman\’s at a well presented Kilclonfert pitch on Saturday.  The Rhode parish side started well and after a minute they got an excellent goal from Johnny Brickland.  They totally dominated the half and lead at the interval 1-11 to 0-3.  The second half continued the same way as the first and a goal midway through the half by the youthful Ruairi McNamee sealed the victory.  It was a good all round team performances and the Rhode parish lads now meet Ballycumber/Tubber in the semi-final on Saturday next in Muckllagh at 2pm.

Paul Coates

James McPadden, Eoin Rigney, William Molloy

Stephen Hannon, Philip Foy, Thomas Mooney (0-1)

Cian Donoghue, Johnny Brickland (1-0)

Dean Kenneddy, Paul McPadden (0-8), Cathal Nolan (0-1)

Stephen O\’Connell (0-5), Donal Hickey (0-1), Ruairi McNamee (1-0)

Subs Used

Dean Morris, Jamie Leavey, Conor McNamee (0-1), Alan Scally, Rory Swords.

Rhode Under 13 League side gained another brace of points in this year\’s league when they received a walk-over from Edenderry.

The game was well referred by John O\’Reilly (Edenderry)

Under 13 League Rhode v St. Broughan\’s at a St. Broughan\’s venue on Saturday

Under 15 League Rhode v Edenderry in Rhode on Sunday

The best of luck to Tullamore senior footballers who play Newtown Blue\’s of Louth in the first round of the Leinster club championship on Sunday in Drogheda .

Happy birthday greetings is extended to Isabella Leavey of Manhattan New York USA who celebrated her 6th birthday from all her friends in Rhode.  Isabella is the daughter of Danny and Ann Leavey from Rhode.

There was no winner of the Rhode GAA Lotto for the week ending 13th of October for a Jackpot of €15,000.  The numbers drawn were 1 18 19 21.  The club like to thank all those who supported the draw and thanks to Killeen\’s for the use of their premises and for their help and cooperation.  The following matched three numbers and received €70 each

Watty Dowling, Fahy Rhode

Pamela Murphy, Clonin Rhode

Helen Kennedy, Barrysbrook Rhode

The Rhode GAA Lotto is the main source of income the club has and now you can play online though our website. The good news is when you play the lotto online you are entitled to free draws, for example pay for seven draws receive the eighth one free, pay for fourteen draws receive two free and so on.  In other words, the more you play the more free draws you are entitled to!!

Sympathy is extended to the McGowan family of Rhode on the death of Terry who passed away on Friday after a long illness.  Terry was one life\’s gentlemen, he worked at in the ESB in Rhode for many years.  He was a pleasure to meet with in work and socially.  He will be sadly missed by all of us but especially by his family.  Terry was laid to rest on Monday to Rhode cemetery.  May he rest in peace.

All at the club sends congratulations to Garry Moore who on Sunday of last week was ordained a deacon in Carlow cathedral.  It\’s a huge honour for Garry his family and all in Rhode and Garry and his family are great supporters of all Rhode and Offaly teams.