Brady gem earns Clara final date with Rhode

Reigning kingpins Edenderry crashed out of the Offaly senior football championship on Saturday at O’Connor Park, Tullamore as Ross Brady’s brilliant 55th minute goal helped Clara secure a semi-final victory.

Clara, beaten by Edenderry in last year’s final, trailed 0-12 to 2-7 when Brady, whose older brother Scott was magnificent, struck for the crucial goal. It ended 1-13 to 2-7 and on Sunday, October 14 Clara will be seeking their seventh county crown, their first since 2009. Standing between the Clara men and glory will be Rhode who defeated Tullamore 0-17 to 2-7 in the first semi-final.

Derek Kelly’s 6th minute goal helped Edenderry draw level with Clara, 1-0 to 0-3. However, with the Brady brothers and John O’Hara in impressive form, Clara regained the initiative and by half time led 0-8 to 1-3.

The Peter Brady-managed Edenderry were struggling and, with Richie Dalton and Derek Kelly being eclipsed at midfield, they needed something special to rejuvenate them. It came in the shape of a 45th minute Sean Doyle equalising goal, 2-5 to 0-11. The ‘Reds’ edged two points ahead and it looked as though they’d repeat their victory of 12 months only for Brady to deliver the knockout blow.

Rhode got off to a shaky start against Tullamore in the opening encounter. Shane Dooley’s goal after four minutes gave Tullamore a 1-1 to 0-1 advantage and when Alan McNamee was forced off injured the outlook wasn’t promising for Rhode.

Fortunately for Rhode, Alan’s younger brother, Niall, was in devastating form and he curled over eight points, including six from play, as the ‘Blues’ defence couldn’t cope with his power and class.

Michael Brazil was Tullamore’s leading performer and he kicked some nice points over the hour. Rhode, who sprung Anton Sullivan from the bench after a long injury lay-off, led by a point at the break, 0-9 to 1-5.

Rhode, with brothers Paul and James McPadden figuring prominently, maintained their stranglehold on matters and heading into the concluding eight minutes they were four points up, 0-13 to 1-6. Somewhat against the run of play, Tullamore gained a lifeline as Shane Kelly slotted their second goal. Sensing the threat, Rhode, who started without Shane Sullivan and Jake Kavanagh, picked up the tempo and kicked four points before the final whistle to book their place in the final after an absence of two years.

Meanwhile, new Offaly senior football manager Emmet McDonnell is holding open trial games next weekend, on Saturday at 2pm in Rhode and on Sunday at 11am in Ferbane.