Clara stand firm

Offaly SFC Final: Clara 1-9 Rhode 1-7 For the third time in five years Rhode had to settle for the role of runners-up in the Offaly senior football championship final when they lost by two points to a more eager Clara side in a disappointing game played before an estimated attendance of 5,000 in Tullamore yesterday.

Clara made the best of a flying start, for they were were a goal up in less than a minute thanks to full forward John Reynolds. They added five points before Pat Daly opened Rhode's account with a 21st-minute point.

By half-time Clara had established a clear lead of 1-5 to 0-3 and although an early second-half goal by wing back David Hope sparked an improved display which saw Rhode cut the deficit to a single point on four occasions, they never succeeded in getting on level terms.

Towards the end Clara came under sustained pressure, but their defence stood firm against a Rhode forward line sadly lacking in penetration.

But overall, this was a disappoing final despite an exciting finish.

Over-robust tackling resulted in a lack of continuity with many stoppages for frees and injuries.

Clara deserved to take home the Dowling Cup, for on the day they proved a better balanced side.

They certainly proved the more potent attacking force with their full forward line being particularly lethal.

Rhode, who included six current county players, proved a disappointment to their supporters.

With the exception of veteran Daly their attack was not firing on all cylinders as they squandered numerous scoring opportunities.

CLARA: K Meehan; M Stones, W Reynolds, A Cronin; P Maher, S Brady, T O'Brien; M Meehan, M Daly (0-2); K O'Meara, J Quinn, T Dalton; M Mitchell (0-2) J Reynolds (1-1), T Deehan (0-4). Subs: E Maher for N Meehan. P Moran for Dalton. C Scanlon for O'Meara.

RHODE: M Kavanagh; M Cassidy, S Sullivan, A Kellaghan; P Sullivan, T Coffey, D Hope (1-0); A McNamee, M Cole; P Kellaghan (0-1), D Bannon, A O'Grady; P Daly (0-4), R Malone, N McNamee (0-2).

Referee: E Dunne (Ballinagar).