Rhode chief Darby urges improvement for decider

THEY may have made a small bit of history by qualifying for their first Leinster final yesterday, but Rhode manager Stephen Darby was keeping his feet firmly on the ground yesterday.

Offaly champions for the last three seasons, Rhode were determined to make serious inroads into the provincial competition this winter after disappointment in their last two campaigns.

Though obviously delighted with his side’s achievement in Parnell Park, Darby was adamant that improvement would be needed if they are to secure the title.

“I think we just about deserved to win it,” he said. “It was a real game of two halves. It was always going to be that way with a wind like that. Both teams missed a lot of chances and that’s something we’ll need to work on.

“We got caught in possession a bit more than I would have liked. We knew we had to recycle the ball a bit better and we’ll work on that too.”

They will be hard to beat after disposing of a UCD side that was sprinkled with inter-county players though they look short of a midfield partner for Alan McNamee and their use of the ball will have to be improved.

However Darby is certain his team will be far from overawed by the occasion of a Leinster decider.

“We’ll be new to it but we’ll be able for it. We have a lot of very experienced lads on this team and we have great support behind us.”

It is possible to argue that yesterday’s game was won even before the throw-in when UCD opted to face the strong wind in the opening half and were duly punished by the concession of two goals inside 12 minutes.

“The start was the key for that win today,” Darby agreed. “It was a nice lead to take in at half-time.”

UCD manager Malachy O’Rourke conceded that their slow start was the difference between the sides.

“We had our chances but we missed a few attempts on goal and a few points. They did as well but no-one is to blame. Those lads put everything they had into that game. I couldn’t have asked any more of them. We have a tremendous team in that dressing room there so that tells you just how good a team Rhode are. They were excellent there today. I really hope they go on and do that now.

“This was great preparation for the Sigerson. Matches like that are miles better than any number of training sessions. We’ve got a lot of football still to play in the months to come.”