Ferbane finish strongly to take out Rhode in battle of new-look teams
Offaly Division 1 Football League semi-final
WITH both sides trying their best to kick it away at times, Ferbane eventually found an extra gear to win a fiercely contested Offaly Division 1 Football League semi-final in Clara on Sunday evening.
Offaly Division 1 Football League semi-final
Ferbane 2-13
Rhode 1-10
Heavy rainfall from 6pm that continued for much of the first half contributed largely to some of the mediocre football that was played but it was still a compelling, no holds barred, hard hitting game of very honest football.
With two very understrength teams taking to the field, it will not have any bearing on their impending championship tussle in a few weeks but it was a very beneficial game for both managements, one they were very eager to win and went all out in.
Rhode took to the field without a number of their elder statesmen. Anton Sullivan was on holidays while Alan and Niall McNamee have only returned to training in the past couple of weeks and haven't played in the league. Neither Darby, Brian or Niall was on their squad while one of their brightest young talents, Aaron Kellaghan is in America.
Ferbane were missing even more. 2025 senior footballer of the year Cathal Flynn looks unlikely to play at all this year while their senior football panel members, Darragh Flynn, Kyle Higgins and Cian Johnson and senior hurlers, Patrick Taaffe, Oisin Kelly, Leon Fox and Jack Clancy were not available. They were down a couple more but welcomed back Leon Fox after his one year sabbatical in Louth. Fox was steady at full back and will be a big addition to Ferbane as they chase their championship dream after some heartbreaking misses in this decade.
It was an important test for Rhode, who have been near full strength for most of the campaign whereas their other main rivals were without their county players the whole way. The absence of Rhode players on the county squad has been noted by many: Rhode have a couple of players who should be well capable of making a county panel but there is also food for thought for this great club in the broader scheme of things – all of that is a story for another day.
There has been a sort of ugly benefit for the club in the whole thing in that they have had full access to their players and as a result, the league has been very important for them – more important than their other competitors and they really needed to lay down a marker here. Apart from Aaron Kellaghan, their missing players are at the wrong end of their careers and rebuilding is crucial for Rhode, who performed with heart and spirit. They produced goods of very good football and their younger players will have benefitted a lot from league action but it was still a disappointing defeat for them.
It looked like they could win a few minutes into the second half but they ran out of steam and ideas in the closing quarter. Ferbane did their best to keep them in it with some awful misses – the wet weather was not an excuse for all of those misses but two late two point frees from goalkeeper Adam Nugent opened up a winning gap and sealed a familiar final shootout with Tullamore.
Paddy Clancy's two pointer opened up a four point to no score lead for Ferbane after just four minutes. Rhode fought back well and Ruari McNamee's point left them 0-5 to 0-4 behind after 12 minutes.
Leon Fox and Ronan McGuire (free) put Ferbane three in front but Rhode equalised with a 26th minute goal from Ryan Murphy after a Ross Kellaghan pass. Murphy and Sean Flynn (free) made it all square, 1-5 to 0-8 at half time and all to play for.
The second half continued in the same vein with every ball contested to the maximum. It was quite gripping, even though the half was memorable more for the misses than anything else as both sides turned their noses up at a host of great chances.
Rhode were the better side early on with Billy Quinn drawing a fine save from Adam Nugent. At the other end Keith Murphy got across to deny Sean Flynn. Josh Kellaghan, a son of manager Paschal, edged Rhode in front but the game turned in Ferbane's favour with 2-1 without reply between the 39th and 40th minutes. Paddy Clancy and Ronan McGuire, with a lovely finish, got the goals and with a 2-9 to 1-6 lead, Ferbane were in control.
Rhode dug deep and fought hard and two Josh Kellaghan points, one free, and one from the lively Billy Quinn made it 1-9 to 2-9 after 45 minutes.
Jack Egan fluffed a great goal chance to seal it for Ferbane and they kept the door open for Rhode with some very poor misses. Paddy Clancy hit the cross bar from point blank range and Ruari McNamee's second point left two in it with ten minutes left.
Rhode didn't score again but had their chances. Billy Quinn almost manufactured a goal out of nothing but didn't hit the sweet spot with his strike and Nugent saved comfortably. It was farcical at times. Ferbane were awarded a 20 metre free straight in front of the posts for a three man breach that was hotly contested by Rhode but Ronan McGuire took it too quick and blazed it wide. It may have been a case of justice done as that breach decision may have been wrong - it did appear that Rhode had the numbers forward but the referee, Fergal Smyth could only go on what his linesman reported.
Eventually Adam Nugent settled it with great two point frees in the 59th and 63rd minutes with sub Jack Kilmurray missing a good goal chance for Rhode in between those.
MATCH ANALYSIS
MAN OF THE MATCH
Paddy Clancy (Ferbane): There is a strong case to be made for Ferbane wing back Jake Maher who had a sensational second half with his pace, direct running and defensive covering causing all sorts of problems for Rhode. Paddy Clancy just edges it. He had a super first half, scoring three points with one of them a two pointer. He got a second half goal, should have got another and combined a great attacking instinct with solid defensive play.
Rhode's Ross Kellaghan was a serious contender. He attacked very well from wing back, set up scores or chances and also defended well. Adam Kellaghan also impressed with a very workmanlike display at midfield while Billy Quinn showed good potential up front for them.
THE SCORERS
Ferbane: Paddy Clancy 1-3 (1 x 2p), Ronan McGuire 1-1 (1f), Adam Nugent 0-4 (2 x 2pf), Leon Fox, Shane Nally, Conor Grennan, Eoghan Grennan, Sean Flynn (f) 0-1 each.
Rhode: Josh Kellaghan 0-5 (3f), Ryan Murphy 1-1, Billy Quinn and Ruari McNamee 0-2 each.
THE TEAMS
FERBANE: Adam Nugent; Aaron McCabe, Leon Fox, Jack Egan; Shane Nally, Paddy Clancy, Jake Maher; Ciaran Cahill, David Kelly; Conor Grennan, Eoghan Grennan, James Nally; Ronan Flynn, Ronan McGuire, Sean Flynn. Subs – Bernard Corcoran for Kelly (49m), Gavin Egan for Sean Flynn (60m).
RHODE: Jack Murphy; Keith Murphy, Jake Kavanagh, James McPadden; Ryan Kellaghan, Dylan Kavanagh, Ross Kellaghan; Conor McNamee, Adam Kellaghan; Billy Quinn, Ryan Murphy, Eoin Smith; Josh Kellaghan, Sean Hurley, Ruari McNamee. Subs - Dylan Kavanagh for Ryan Kellaghan (48m), Jack Kilmurray for Josh Kellaghan (48m).
Referee – Fergal Smyth, Kilclonfert.
REFEREE WATCH
Well aware that Ferbane and Rhode wouldn't hold anything back, Fergal Smyth was tuned in and handled it well, though he was in danger of losing his way late on. Part of the problem was things being contested by the Rhode sideline and him engaging with them on a few occasions. There were a few frees not given but it was a difficult evening for football and he had to try and let it develop. Ultimately, these more or less balanced out and Rhode certainly couldn't blame him for losing. He also resisted the temptation to dish out cards, knowing that one sloppy tackle after one in the conditions could result in a dear penalty for the player.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
The late two point frees from Adam Nugent were great strikes and got Ferbane home.
VENUE WATCH
Maybe it suited one or both of the teams but you would wonder was it really necessary to have this game at 7pm on a Sunday evening. It is late in the weekend for everyone and there was certainly ample space to get it played at a more player and supporter friendly time. Apart from that, the Clara venue was in great shape and they hosted it well.
WHAT'S NEXT
Ferbane go into the final against Tullamore.
STATISTICS
Wides: Ferbane – 11 (4 in first half); Rhode – 11 (6 in first half).
Yellow cards: 0
Black cards: 0
Red cards: 0