Offaly SFC Final/ Rhode 2-10 Shamrocks 0-13: Goals in the opening and closing minutes of yesterday's Offaly football final proved decisive as Rhode successfully defended their title at Tullamore.

The victory was a triumph for experience, Rhode claiming their 21st title against opponents contesting only their second final.

Rhode availed of a nervous start by their opponents to race into a 1-1 to 0-0 lead by the fourth minute, the goal coming from corner forward David Hope, and they led 1-6 to 0-6 at the break

Shamrocks levelled in the 58th minute, but their hopes ended on the hour when Pascal Kellaghan scored a match-winning goal.

SCORERS - Rhode: P Kelleghan (1-2), N McNamee (0-4), D Hope (1-0), A McNamee (0-2), M Coll, M Cassidy (0-1 each). Shamrocks: B Monaghan, L Mooney (0-3 each), D Molloy (0-2), A Condron, M Yeates, T Coughlan, R Mooney, S Dunne (0-1 each).