Rhode, who won the last of their 18 Offaly SFC titles in 1975, ended the barren spell in Tullamore yesterday when they dethroned the holders, Edenderry, by 0-11 to 1-4.

The winners were in no way flattered by their margin of victory, for they were the faster, fitter and more eager side throughout. Indeed, it was only a 55th minute penalty that put a more respectable appearance on Edenderry's meagre contribution to the scoreboard.

Rhode's Fergal Dunne and Barry Malone dominated mid-field. Placekicker and captain, Pat Daly, accounted for the bulk of the winners' scores from frees.

Edenderry, contesting their third final in four years, never got into the game. The strong Rhode defence in which brothers Alan and Ken Kelleghan were outstanding together with Richie Harnett and Joe Kilmurray controlled matters.

Although playing against the breeze, Rhode led at half-time by 07 to 0-3 with five of their points being scored from frees by Pat Daly. They became more dominant on the change of ends, holding their opponents scoreless for 22 minutes.

Rhode - A Daly, A Kelleghan, K Kelleghan, P Dunne; R Harnett, P Kenny, J Kilmurray; F Dunne 0-1, B Malone; A Hyland, E Byrne 0-1, D Gorman 0-1; P Daly 0-7, R Malone 0-1, P Kelleghan. Subs: A McNamee for Gorman, L Murphy for R Malone.

Edenderry - D Seery; G Blong, A Murphy, J Hurst; S Bagnall, F Curran, W Mooney; P Brady 0- 2, A Mahon; C Farrell, K Guing 1-0, S Og Farrell; D Flynn, J Mullen, B Malone. Subs: T Kenny for Malone, N Comerford for C Farrell

Referee: N Cooney