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Ballycumber 1-12 Rhode 0-15

The best game of the championship by far this year. Bally playing with a slight breeze raced into an early lead with a Mick Broder goal. The first half had some lovely point taking by both sides with Ballycumber's Rory Guinan in sublime form. He kicked 6 points from play from either foot, most from 30/40 yards. (Surely he deserves a place on the County team ? We are in need of a half forward who can score from long distance....).
Bally went in at half time leading by 1-08 to 0-6 points. Rhode, as expected came tearing out of the blocks in the second half and Niall Mac started winning possession and laying it off quickly. By the half way point, Rhode were back level. From there to the end it was point for point and Pascal Kelleaghan looked to have won it for Rhode with a good point at the end of normal time. Enter Rory Guinan again with another beauty to give Bally a deserved draw.

Are Rhode closer to the chasing pack than was thought or did the long delay between games mean they were a little rusty ? Time will tell.

A very refreshing result. Maybe Rhode have eased back on the throttle because they are cruising to the knockouts, but even still, this result will give a bit more hope to a couple of other clubs in the county.

Rory Guinan's county career stalled for a couple of years, but it would great to see him step up to the mark.
Is Mick Broder the same player who used to play for Moate and Westmeath?

One and the same. He transferred over at the start of the year and has been in good form since then.

A good result for the lads. I don't think anyone tipped a draw.

So where does that leave us? Do we play off again to decide who goes into the semis?

Funny thing is, we have to play again on tuesday night in the league.

A replay this weekend to see who tops the group and goes into the semi's. Niall Mac missed a peno in the second half. He kicked it straight at the goalie. Rhode it seems needed this game. Their County men were the least effective. Roy Malone and Eoin Byrne were the oustanding players for Rhode who I feel will win the replay well.