Leinster SFC semi-final/ Rhode 2-6 UCD 1-8: Pesky students. Even the sternest begrudger would have to concede that nothing made the college's argument more eloquently than the manner of their exit from the Leinster club championship yesterday.
Beaten by a point on a cold, hard day in Parnell Park by a fine Rhode side, the college boys played with a passion and heart which, had it been matched by a little accuracy, would have given them a major scalp.
The argument over the two-club rule will of course continue, not least because of the presence yesterday in the green of Rhode of Niall McNamee who in the blue of UCD won a Dublin county title just a couple of weeks ago. Both he and Wicklow's Paul Earl's travelled two roads into Leinster this year and the fact that the college side could look so proficient without either of them once they escaped the capital says volumes for the strength in depth at UCD.
Proponents of change to that rule which allows students to play championship with their home clubs as well as the college will point perhaps to the passion and commitment displayed yesterday by the players. Would it be diminished if players committed wholly to college for their time there, a period which would allow not just Sigerson and county championship involvement but O'Byrne Cup fare at intercounty level also?
It was a day when anyone could have been excused for quitting. Chill winds and icy showers swept down from the Donnycarney end while the students played into the teeth of the elements. Rhode sucker punched them at the bell, winning the throw-in, galloping right down the middle and finding Alan McNamee who drove a fine shot into the college net.
It continued like that. Eoghan Byrne, the most adventurous wing back to be seen in Parnell Park in a long time, spent most of the game in the UCD half being trailed by Fermanagh's James Sherry and his reward came early when he added a point.
By the 12th minute Rhode were away clear when Mark Cole was dragged down and Niall McNamee planted a penalty against his erstwhile comrades.
McNamee added a close-in free a minute later and Rhode were eight ahead before the first quarter was out.
UCD clung on, however, turning to their bigger names for help. Austin O'Malley of Mayo had a string of three points and Louth's Shane Lennon added another before the break. UCD went in for their tea just six points down and with memories of a fine missed goal chance from Lennon late in the half to warm them.
They needed the second half to begin well and it did. Craig Rodgers, a former Laois All-Ireland minor captain, opened with a point before a costly string of four wides in the next 10 minutes hardened the impression that the students were capable of either winning the game or leaving it behind them but Rhode's margin wasn't going to get bigger.
The goal they needed came with plenty of time left. O'Malley screaming the ball across the Rhode goalmouth. Conor O'Dwyer coming in to fist to the empty net. Two points down with 18 minutes to play, UCD looked capable of closing the deal.
Niall McNamee was an all-too-familiar source of trouble for them though. As soon as O'Dwyer had scored he nicked a point at the other end to steady his team. It would be Rhode's second last score of the game. Roy Malone would take the last with seven minutes remaining as Rhode dug themselves in.
UCD will regret the eight wides they hit after the break when their fitness and passion brought them into contention. Moments like the magnificent block made by Paul McConway on Ciarán Heavey, when the latter was through for a goal chance, were indicative of the courage they showed in falling short.
Billy Sheehan and Shane Lennon whittled the margin to a point in the closing stages during which Austin O'Malley had a goal attempt saved and Cavan's Seán Brady hit a critical wide. Rhode, who have knocked on the door quite a few times, advanced to a provincial final. UCD's story is over for another year.
RHODE: C Masterson; M Cassidy, B Malone, B Darby; C Heavey, D Bannon, E Byrne (0-1); A McNamee (1-0), S Sullivan; G Hickey, P Sullivan, R Malone (0-2); M Cole, P Kellaghan, N McNamee (1-3, 0-2 frees, 1-0 penalty).
UCD: S Gallagher; P McConway, P Navin, J McCarthy; M Duffy, E Ó Cuiv, M Dunne; S Brady, M Ward; J Sherry, S Lennon (0-2, one free), A O'Malley (0-4, one free); C Judge, B Sheehan (0-1), C O'Dwyer (1-0). Sub: C Rogers (0-1) for C Judge (29 mins).
Referee: S Doyle (Wexford).
