Offaly SFC Final: Rhode 2-6, Clara 0-9 For the second time in their distinguished history Rhode completed a hat-trick of Offaly senior titles, bridging a 77-year gap yesterday in a disappointing decider at O'Connor Park.

On a greasy and treacherous surface, and with the emphasis more on brawn than brain, Rhode enjoyed bountiful early possession and should have led by more than 1-4 to 0-3 at the break.

Their 16th-minute goal came from a sweeping movement started and finished by corner forward Mark Cole and involving Roy Malone and captain Alan McNamee, who provided the final pass for Cole to plant the ball past Kevin Meehan.

The second goal sealed Clara's fate. It came just six minutes after the break and left Meehan with egg on his face as he allowed a 60-yard speculative kick by wing back Ciarán Heavey to bounce off his chest and into the net.

That gave Rhode a 2-5 to 0-4 cushion, and though they added just one further point they were never subsequently in danger.

The goal Clara needed never looked likely. Indeed, it was only the accuracy of free-taker John Reynolds, the game's top scorer, that enabled the challengers to get within touching distance.

Rhode had outstanding performers in Colm Masterson, Barry Malone, Pascal Kellaghan and, of course, Niall McNamee, whose five points brought his tally from six games to 5-41.

RHODE: C Masterson; J Kilmurray, B Malone, M Cassidy; C Heavey (1-0), D Bannon, E Byrne; A McNamee, S Sullivan; D Hope, P Sullivan, R Malone; M Cole (1-0), P Kellaghan (0-1), N McNamee (0-5, one free, one 45). Subs: N Darby for Hope (43 mins), B Darby for P Sullivan (52 mins).

CLARA: K Meehan; G Collins, J Quinn, D Collins; S Kidney, J Flattery, D Kelly; S Brady, K O'Meara (0-1); P Deehan, J O'Hara, S Deehan; T Dalton, J Reynolds (0-6, frees), T Deehan (0-1). Subs: P Mitchell for Kidney (half-time), P Moran (0-1) for P Deehan (half-time), W Reynolds for D Collins (39 mins), A Cronin for Kelly (45 mins).

Referee: E Dunne (Ballinagar).