Sparkling Rhode put down marker

Rhode confirmed their status as favourites to win the Offaly SFC crown when they put in by far the most impressive performance of the round, beating Tubber 2-16 to 0-10 at the weekend.

On Wednesday night their parish team, St Michael’s, will face off against Wheery in the county U21 championship final and young forwards Anton Sullivan and Paul McPadden demonstrated their form in advance of this game with tallies of 1-2 and 1-1, respectively.

Niall McNamee also kicked six points for the winners, who now top group 2 on scoring difference.

County champions Edenderry secured their first win of the campaign when they edged out Ferbane 0-11 to 1-6 in O’Connor Park yesterday, but manager Peter Brady will be disappointed their win wasn’t a lot more comfortable.

A goal against the run of play by county minor Joe Maher kept Ferbane in touch and Edenderry’s 0-7 to 1-3 half time lead was very flattering to the underdogs. However, they failed to exploit the opportunity with six wides and three shots dropped short in the second-half.

Group one favourites Clara were held to a 0-9 to 0-9 draw on Friday night by local rivals Erin Rovers in a fiercely competitive clash. Former county players Richard Fox and Scott Brady were both sent off in the first-half, though a share of the spoils suited two teams that recorded wins the first round of games.

Ballycumber’s 1-10 to 0-8 win over Walsh Island was the biggest shock of the weekend, but the 2/1 outsiders fully merited their win yesterday and never trailed after going in front through a goal from county hurler Chris McDonald after five minutes.

The final result of the weekend was Gracefield’s 0-11 to 1-6 win over St Rynagh’s, where Rynaghs failed to build on Gary Mahon’s early goal.