Rhode just barely do enough to win as Bracknagh fight hard

RHODE just about did enough and not a whole lot more as they stumbled to an unconvincing win over Bracknagh in the first round of the Senior Football Championship at Bracknagh on Saturday evening.

Tullamore Court Hotel Senior Football Championship Group 1 Round 1

Rhode 0-14

Bracknagh 0-11

Efficient and solid in the first half, Rhode looked like they would saunter to an easy win when they led by double scores, 0-10 to 0-5 at half time. They played within themselves in that first half but were in complete control and they seemed to have another gear to click into whenever they wished.

The favourites, however, badly lost their way in the second half, struggling to break down a Bracknagh team who really dug deep. Rhode only managed four points in the second half and most unusually, not one of them was a score from play – veteran attacker Niall McNamee sat this one out with an injury and though he was togged out, Rhode didn't spring him.

Bracknagh did very well to get back into the game, playing with great spirit in the second half. Having said that, the closest they could get was two points and they always looked like they would fall just short.

Rhode were reasonably good in the first half. They were very controlled in their use of the ball and after Jason Dempsey got the first point from Bracknagh, Rhode piled forward in wave after wave of attack. They got five points in a row and then led by 0-7 to 0-2 after seventeen minutes. The gap was five at the break, though crucially Rhode hadn't got in for a goal to kill off the game – a below par Anton Sullivan had their best chance but didn't carry the ball in as far as he could have and Keith Keogh made a comfortable save.

Mikey Cunningham and Ruari McNamee (free) exchanged points to leave Rhode five to the good three minutes after the restart. Two things happened to change the game. Firstly, and most importantly, Bracknagh showed the right fighting spirit and began to work much harder.

And secondly, Rhode contributed to their own problems, playing ultra safe at times, passing the ball backwards and not breaking the line quick enough.

A Mikey Cunningham free and mark and a very good point from a hard working Eoghan Geoghegan got Bracknagh back to two points with thirteen minutes left. Ruari McNamee's 49^th minute free settled Rhode and he added two more to put them 0-14 to 0-9 ahead with a minute left.

Points from Charlie Keogh and a subdued Peter Cunningham brought the gap back to a goal in injury time but Bracknagh never threatened to break through for the goal they had to get and Rhode held on.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jason Dempsey (Bracknagh): A second half tour-de-force from Jason Demsey at midfield was pivotal to Bracknagh's second half fight back. He won hard ball, fielded high, worked his socks on and drove forward. He had good moments in the first half and his second half display ensured midfield became a real battle zone and Rhode had to work hard to get out of their half – though he did tire late on.

Fionn Dempsey also had an outstanding game in the Bracknagh defence while Mikey Cunningham's accuracy was the standout factor for the losers up front.

Niall Darby had a great game for Rhode at centre half back. His place kicking off the ground was top notch while he cut out a lot of ball at centre half back and distributed well. Gareth McNamee, Darren Garry, Brian Darby and Ross Kellaghan also impressed at different times while Ruari McNamee got on a lot of crucial ball when the game was in the melting pot and never wasted one.

THE SCORERS

Rhode: Niall Darby (4f) and Ruari McNamee (4f) 0-4 each, Darren Garry and Anton Sullivan 0-2 each, Brian Darby and Ciaran Heavey 0-1 each.

Bracknagh: Mikey Cunningham 0-6 (4f and 1m), Eoghan Geoghegan 0-2, Peter Cunningham, Jason Dempsey and Charlie Keogh 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

RHODE: Jack Kilmurray; James McPadden, Keith Murphy, Jake Kavanagh; Gareth McNamee, Niall Darby, Dylan Kilmurray; Conor McNamee, Darren Garry; Ciaran Heavey, Ross Kellaghan, Brian Darby; Shane Lowry, Anton Sullivan, Ruari McNamee. Subs – Padraic Sullivan for Lowry, inj. (37m), Ryan Kellaghan for Murphy (52m).

BRACKNAGH: Keith Keogh; Adam Kelly, Fionn Dempsey, Tom Hyland; Colm Cunningham, Chris Whittle, Anthony Cunningham; Peter Cunningham, Jason Dempsey; Sean Dempsey,Eoghan Geoghegan, Ricky Geoghegan; Colin Broderick, Jamie Sheridan, Mikey Cunningham. Subs – Ciaran Donnelly for Sheridan (HT), Charlie Keogh for Sean Dempsey (43m), Mark Dunne for Whittle (47m), Josh Maher for Broderick (49m).

Referee – Fintan Pierce (Raheen).

REFEREE WATCH

Fintan Pierce had a solid game. He didn't get everything right but he wasn't a factor and was aware of off the ball fouling.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

There was no big defining moment as such but a key spell came around the 50 minute mark. Mikey Cunningham was wide with a free and Anthony Cunningham dropped a chance just short with Bracknagh trailing by three. Making it a one point game would have made a big difference to Bracknagh and the next score, a Ruari McNamee free, in the 56^th minute, gave Rhode breathing room.

VENUE WATCH

Bracknagh's location at the eastern end of the county and down a country cul-de-sac means that they don't get many big games so it was great for them to host themselves in the Senior Football Championship. They hosted the fixture professionally and their venue was in fine shape.

WHAT'S NEXT

Rhode are at home to Ballycommon while Bracknagh travel to Tullamore for round 2.

STATISTICS

Wides: Rhode - 4 (2 in first half); Bracknagh - 3 (1 in first half).

Yellow cards: Rhode – 1 (Shane Lowry); Bracknagh – 1 (Charlie Keogh).

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0