www.uibhfhaili.com

hey lads, anyone at the above match? i wasn't at it unfortunately, but i heard it was good....any one wanna fill us in on it. I know Shamrocks played outta their skins, as for rhode...

Shamrocks beat Niall McNamee by three points. take him out of that team and they are fairly normal

Rhode were torn apart in all positions from 2-9. Shamrocks dominated at midfield from the 1st minute and everyone of their forwards had the beating of their men with Ward and Dunne particularly impressive.
Niall obviously kept Rhode in with his sheer brilliance and although Shamrocks did panic a little in the 2nd half, they re-grouped to pull away for a fully desrved victory.
Kelly despite conceding 3 goals had an excellent game and denied Roy Malone on 2 occasions and his general decision making was also sound.Several markers picked up Niall but no-one could hold him but then again Tullamore won't have a player of that calibre to give them as much trouble in the final. They will surely be strong favourites.
I dunno where Rhode go from here as they were outclassed all round the field and with a lot of their best players with a lot of miles on the clock, they will have to rebuild again.

Yes I was wrong about the result but I was right about the top scorer! Rhode were out fought and out played all over the pitch and yet they could still have won the match or at least have drawn it. The Shamrocks goal was a blunder on Mark Kavanaghs part, but in fairness to him that ball had snow on it! Niall also missed a few frees and 45s but theres no way you could be critical of him after his performance. Apart from Nialler, Paschal was the only other player to play well for Rhode. I said it on Friday and I'll say it again, why dont teams put two players on him? or at least put a man playing just in front of him? Shamrocks were obviously very fired up for the game but one of their mentors gave Eoghan Byrne a shoulder in the second half, what was that about? They celebrated like they had won a county final when the final whistle was blown (which is understandable) but I hope they dont forget that they have no silverwear in the bag yet! As for Rhode, looking at their substitutions, they really lack strenght in depth. Stars of the '98 team still the first to be called upon despite Rhode winning five u21 titles in a row........something just doesnt add up. Anyhow best of luck to Shamrocks, heres hoping the complete the job now.