Improved Tullamore cruise into final as Rhode leave best form in group

THE suspicion that group form would prove to be an unrealiable guide manifested itself spectacularly in O'Connor Park on Sunday as Tullamore cruised to a fourth consecutive Offaly Senior Football Championship final against Ferbane with a very easy win over Rhode - and their seventh consecutive final in all, which is some record of consistency.

Tullamore Court Hotel Senior Football Championship semi-final

Tullamore 2-13

Rhode 1-6

Rhode had been the form team in the group, recording great wins over Tullamore and Ferbane on their way to qualifying direct for the semi-finals as table toppers. The group form suggested that they were favourites for this, recent past history told us otherwise and it was all too comfortable for the four in a row seeking champions.

This game proved beyond all doubt that Rhode had been operating at more or less maximum capacity in the group, Tullamore sauntering along in third gear, happy just to qualify and not too bothered about playing a quarter-final. They just cruised in the group but showed signs of the relentless pressing, the ability to perform to a system in their quarter-final demolition of Ballycommon.

They raised it to a different level here and this was Tullamore in the form that won three in a row in 2023, 2024 and 2025. They controlled every aspect of play, were ruthlessly efficient apart from their finishing in the first half, and had their final berth booked at half time, even if Rhode did briefly threaten to get back into it in the second half.

It was a disspiriting afternoon for Rhode, who were awful with the wind on their backs in the first half and were a country mile off the pace over the hour plus. Apart from Aaron Kellaghan, they never got going in an attacking sense and their 1-6 tally doesn't tell any lies – and their goal from Aaron Kellaghan was as lucky as they come, a shot from forty metres that deceived Aaron Hensey and dipped into the net three metres into injury time.

At that stage, it didn't make an iota of difference as the game had a very messy end. Rhode's Ross Kellaghan and Tullamore sub Michael Brazil were sent off for second yellow cards in the 57th and 60th minutes and Rhode Ryan Kellaghan went for a straight red four minutes into injury time for a shoulder to the head of Daire McDaid – McDaid was coming in low but any shoulder to the head is going to get that sanction and everyone in Rhode knew what was coming when the Tullamore defender went down.

It was a sad end to Rhode's campaign. Their form had enlivened the group stages but when it came to knockout football, they were not at the races. The sight of a forlorn Niall McNamee trudging to the sideline when taken off in the 53rd minute was profoundly sad – the great forward had barely got a kick at it as Tullamore's defence were completely on top and there is every possibility that this will be his last appearance in O'Connor Park.

It would be unfair to be overly critical of Rhode, who are in a very transitional period. Several of their long time stars are either gone or over the hill and they are working very hard to develop their young talent. They clearly have plenty of road left to travel and very little went right for Rhode on the day. Ruari McNamee had his quietest game of the year, Cormac Egan superb on him and for Rhode to win, they needed a man of the match display from him. Anton Sullivan tried hard, running at Tullamore when he could but generally ended up in traffic and making no headway.

Aaron Kellaghan was Rhode's best player, scoring 1-3 of their 1-6, 1-2 from play but Tullamore's defence was outstanding. Their game management was superb as they slowed down the play when needed against the wind in the first half, keeping Rhode starved of the ball, and then attacking at pace to open them up.

Tullamore led by 1-6 to 0-4 at half time and Rhode needed something extraordinary to happen. They were lucky to be that close. Aaron Kellaghan converted an early '45' for them when Declan Hogan got across to make a great block to deny him a goal but they conceded a second minute goal. Aaron Leavy, back from suspension, punched a Luke Plunkett shot to the net and Tullamore were 1-3 to 0-1 ahead after nine minutes.

Already, Rhode were in bother and Tullamore should have been out of sight at half time. They could very easily have had another 3-3 on the board. Diarmuid Egan was wide when trying to place a great goal chance in the 18th minute, John Furlong almost flicked to the net two minutes later and their sixth point from Cormac Egan in the 32nd minute flew high and over off the cross bar.

Tullamore also left a few points behind them and the extent of their dominance was surprising. Davin Keegan came of age as a senior footballer here, opening day light with a neat point and a great two pointer to make it 1-9 to 0-6 after 33 minutes. Rhode fought hard and played their best football in the next few minutes.

They had a sustained bout of possession but their only reward was two Aaron Kellaghan points. He was wide with a two point free that they absolutely had to get in the 39th minute and Tullamore quickly put them to bed.

Niall Furlong blasted home a stunning 41st minute goal, set up by Aaron Leavy. Harry Plunkett, Cormac Egan, Luke Bourke and Liam Dillane added points by the 56th minute and Tullamore stopped driving forward for the last few minutes, content to run in subs and keep Rhode at bay.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Declan Hogan (Tullamore): It was a very professional, impressive display by Tullamore with every man doing his job. Declan Hogan is the choice. The veteran Tullamore full back created an insurmountable barrier for Rhode in front of the mosts. His reading of the game was excellent, his ability to be in the right place and make crucial blocks and tackles was out of the top drawer. He was invariably the man in the right place when the ball broke or hit the post and he gave a defensive master class.

Aaron Hensey once again drifted out the field from the goals to contest kickouts and make himself available. He was very effective in this role, though you do have to keep out shots like Aaron Kellaghan's injury time goal – it was, however, just one of those things and was very much the time to concede a goal of this nature.

Cormac Egan, Diarmuid Egan, Daire McDaid, Aaron Leavy and Niall Furlong all excelled for Tullamore in a quality team display.

Aaron Kellaghan was Rhode's best player but it is back to the drawing board for them after this heavy defeat.

THE SCORERS

Tullamore: Aaron Leavy 1-1, Niall Furlong 1-0, Harry Plunkett (2f) and Davin Keegan (1 x 2p) 0-3 each, Cormac Egan and Diarmuid Egan 0-2 each, Luke Bourke and Liam Dillane 0-1 each.

Rhode: Aaron Kellaghan 1-4 (1 '45'), Ross Kellaghan 0-2 (2p), Anton Sullivan 0-1.

THE TEAMS

TULLAMORE: Arron Hensey; Patrick Kenna, Declan Hogan, Jack Maher; John Furlong, Cormac Egan, Daire McDaid; Davin Keegan, Aaron Leavy, Niall Furlong, Diarmuid Egan, Luke Egan; Mike Fox, Luke Plunkett, Harry Plunkett. Subs – Liam Dillane for Luke Plunkett (46m), Michael Brazil for Luke Egan (49m), Luke Bourke for Diarmuid Egan (52m), Nigel Bracken for Niall Furlong (55m), Oisin Keenan-Martin for John Furlong (57m),

RHODE: Jack Murphy; Jake Kavanagh, Keith Murphy, James McPadden; Aaron McBride, Eoin Smith, Conor McNamee; Sean Hurley, Adam Kellaghan; Ross Kellaghan, Dylan Kavanagh, Ruari McNamee; Aaron Kellaghan, Niall McNamee, Anton Sullivan. Subs – Kenneth Garry for Jack Murphy (HT), Ryan Kellaghan for Smith (35m), Niall Darby for Adam Kellaghan (36m), Jack Kilmurray for Conor McNamee (43m), Billy Quinn for Niall McNamee (53m),

Referee – Marius Stones, Clara

REFEREE WATCH

Marius Stones refereed it well. Rhode had three yellow cards picked up by the 13th minute, Anton Sullivan's for dissent but he kept control on it and applied the rules consistently. He showed plenty of cards but there was an edge to the game with both sides hitting hard. That is always the way between these two great clubs and with so many cards, it was no surprise that a couple earned second yellows. Ryan Kellaghan was a bit unlucky with his late red as Daire McDaid had a low centre of gravity when trying to get by him but his shoulder was straight on the head. Niall Darby went off, clearly shook, after a heavy double challenge by Cormac Egan and Michael Brazil. Egan got a yellow and Brazil got his second yellow – he was only on the field a few minutes but both yellows were deserved.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Aaron Leavy's second minute goal came way too early for Rhode and Tullamore were never in danger after it.

VENUE WATCH

This was the fourth game in O'Connor Park at the weekend and the pitch held up very well. A decent crowd created a good atmosphere. It was good to see both teams stand still for the whole of the national anthem. The game was delayed 10 minutes because of the previous quarter-final. A fifteen minute gap has been left between most double bills this year but that isn't sufficient. The logic in keeping the gap tight to avoid spectators leaving is fair enough but it is too tight for the teams in the following games and if someone hasn't the patience to wait a few minutes, let them off.

WHAT'S NEXT

Tullamore go into the final against Ferbane.

STATISTICS

Wides: Tullamore – 10 (7 in first half); Rhode - 8 (4 in first half).

Yellow cards: Rhode – 6 (Keith Murphy, Anton Sullivan, Ross Kellaghan 2, Aaron McBride, Aaron Kellaghan); Tullamore – 5 (Daire McDaid, Niall Furlong, Michael Brazil 2, Cormac Egan).

Black cards: 0

Red cards: Tullamore – 1 (Michael Brazil, 2 yellows); Rhode – 2 (Ross Kellaghan, 2 yellows, Ryan Kellaghan).