Rhode V Ballycmber, part 2:

The man behind the welder · Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:53 pm

Rhode absolutely destroyed Ballycumber in a lack lustre game on Saturday evening;It was very much a case of men against boys with Niall Mcnamee being sublime with 3-7 from play.Hopefully a new look Offaly management team will draft Roy Malone back into the squad,Theres not a player in the county that could match those penetrating runs.Rumours that the Champions had troubles in the camp appear to be unfounded but seemingly if you live in the Fahy hill area,your chances of making the team are greater!Bally had their own problems from the drawn game with the manager and one of the subs engaging in a public row.Looks like a repeat of last years final.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 3:19 am

I unfortunately wasn't at the game, I was otherwised enaged, but i heard Rhode were very impressive... The scorlinee does suggest that it was a right hammering... however, i've heard ballycumeber will rue their mistakes for not making a fight out of the game. I heard that mcnamees 3 goals were taken more or less on the line after goalkeeping and defensive mistakes and that chino's (mark Coles) goal was the only goal that was taken well under pressure...

Also with regard to Roy Malone... He has been playin brilliant club football for years. He was kept in the offaly squad for many years based on his club performances yet rarely produced anything special, and lived off his performance against kildare for years. I'd love to see the roy malone of club football produce these diplays for his county, but it hasn't happened in recent years and i doubt it will again. Unfortunately, i suspect his county career is over.

Fair play to Rhode though, i heard they looked very much the defending champions and rightly deserve their tag as favorites.

redser · Post by **redser** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:26 am

Rhode were outstanding.

Kilmurray, Kelleghan, Roy Malone, Both McNamees, and chino cole all exceptionally outstanding.

Its looking like a strool for Rhode to the Dowling cup unless Clara suprise them later on.

naasmanxrhode · Post by **naasmanxrhode** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:11 am

Rhode played well, the drawn game was needed badly, Alan McNamee was outstanding at midfield with the balls he played into Niall. Other that played well were Roy Malone, Mark Cole, Paschal, Joe Kilmurray and Eoin Byrne. Rhode may have a problem at full back. Barry Malone looks uneasy or is not fully fit, but has time to get ready for bigger tests ahead. Most likely be Croghan in the semi.

Bord na Mona man · Post by **Bord na Mona man** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:38 am

Looks like Rhode have used all their ammo to beat Ballycumber.
This bodes well for Clara

Lone Shark · Post by **Lone Shark** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 12:07 am

I was home for the weekend, so I got to go to this. I won't do up a full report (Nearly midnight now and work due in for the morning yet!!) but I'd have the following observations.

(1) Ballycumber made some very odd selections. They have the best marker in the county this summer in Nigel Grennan, and waited until the door was well and truly shut on the game before switching him onto McNamee. I don't care if you need him at midfield - Niall's final tally says all that needs to be said about that decision.

(2) How in God's name did Dinger not send off Padraig Sullivan? He clearly saw it for what it was, as evidenced by his kicking gesture, the ball was nowhere close, it was as clear a red card as you'll ever see. It had no bearing on this game, Padraig certainly didn't pull up any trees as the game went on, but by rights he should be suspended. It's a pity because in a way I like his style of reffing, if he could cut out these occasional howlers he'd actually be okay.

(3) Roy Malone clearly belongs on the county panel. I'm not saying he should start, but as I've always said, in a situation where a forward to secure and hold ball is needed, he does well. A lot worse players than him got their chance in the half forward line for the county in 2006.

(4) At the risk of starting a row, I thought Alan McNamee wasn't great. He was up against no midfielder to speak of and he still didn't win nearly as much clean ball as you'd expect. He even dropped two kickouts where he was uncontested in the first half. He continues to be the best we have by a mile and will remain dominant in Offaly for the rest of the year, but a Leinster campaign where he could meet any of Magee, O'Shaughnessy, Quigley etc. will be the true test for him. His delivery is good, that goes without saying though.

(5) Agree that Barry Malone is struggling - with Brian Darby on the bench and Shane Sull not looking like a midfielder at all, I could see him losing his place soon enough.

(6) Was it just me or was Roy Malone not keen to pass to Chino? A couple of times it stood out, and he never put his hand up to acknowledge it or anything. Probably me being paranoid though ....

True Red · Post by **True Red** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:49 am

Just a few observations on your points...

1. Probably Offaly's fastest back this year should definitely have been put on Niall.Big mistake by Ballycucumber management.

2.Pauric Sullivan is a petulant little fecker.Doesnt surprise in the slightest that he reacted by lashing out with the boot.

3.Roy defintely deserves a shout back in to the county panel.He has paid a heavy price for his "...you've set Offaly football back 10 years...." comment in the heat of the moment after the Carlow match last year.

4.Alan Mc is probably still suffering the aftereffects of his calf injury.He will come good.

5.Barry is struggling and maybe will lose out but it wont be for Brian Darby as he has a broken arm.

6.Chino Cole had a serious falling out with Stephen Darby earlier in the season and had to publicly apologise to him before he was let back onto the panel.Maybe there is some reasonance still left from that row.....

Lone Shark · Post by **Lone Shark** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:35 am

Didn't know about Brian Darby breaking his arm - that would make sense. I thought it was just a case of Rhode having a lot of good backs and Darby being the one to miss out, but chalk another one up to me being out of the loop over here ....