Leinster Club SF semi-final: Ian O'Riordan talks to Rhode manager Stephen Darby ahead of their clash against Kilmacud Crokes
Rarely does the AIB club championship produce such a classic David-and-Goliath contest as the meeting between Rhode and Kilmacud Crokes. One relies on the football talent from a small village in rural Offaly, and the other from the dense, affluent suburb of south Dublin.
Both clubs also bring a contrasting history to Portlaoise for Sunday's Leinster football semi-final. Rhode was founded in 1888, and won their first Offaly title in 1900. Kilmacud amalgamated with the Crokes club in 1966, and won their first Dublin title in 1992. Three years later they were All-Ireland champions, and enjoyed steady success in all grades ever since.
The Dubliners will start Sunday's game as heavy favourites, not least of all because of their 14-point thrashing of Meath champions St Peter's, Dunboyne, last Sunday. They'll also have Mark Vaughan back on board after suspension to add to Ray Cosgrove's scoring form (1-10) of the last day.
Rhode, meanwhile, have never progressed this far into the Leinster championship - but they do have that tradition on their side. Manager Stephen Darby was a substitute in Offaly's famous All-Ireland victory of 1982, appearing just before his brother, Séamus, came on to score the goal that shattered Kerry's five-in-a-row ambitions.
"We're definitely coming from two completely different backgrounds," says Darby. "We'd be the typical rural club, you could say, in that it's just a village. We are dealing with a small population, and the pick wouldn't be that great. But we've a great tradition there, with club players like Paddy McCormack and Eugene Mulligan also winning All-Irelands with Offaly. So we are well steeped in football.
"But of course Kilmacud represent a huge challenge for us. Not just because of the way they beat Dunboyne last Sunday. They are a very accomplished side, with some very good footballers in all of their lines. I'd say they're practically a county team as such. That hasn't just come about this year. We've seen them coming to the top of the pile for the last number of years. We know we'll have to play well above ourselves to be in with a chance of beating them. But we don't fear them, and we'll certainly be giving it everything we have."
Rhode have won 21 Offaly titles to date, including the last two in succession. Last year's foray into the Leinster championship is something the club would rather forget (they were beaten 3-10 to 0-4 by Portlaoise) but Darby, who is also in his second year as manager, believes his team learnt a great deal from the experience.
"We are basically dealing with the same team, but the obvious difference is they have an extra year behind them. So they're older and wiser, with a lot more experience. I think that match was a great lesson. Portlaoise went on to contest the All-Ireland final, which showed we hadn't been beaten by a soft team, or were even too far off the mark.
"The fact is it was very close right up to half-time, which was 1-2 to 0-3 to them. The first goal that Portlaoise got was also very fortunate in that our goalkeeper came out to clear a ball and missed it completely. If it hadn't gone in we would have been ahead at half-time.
"Then something similar happened in the second half when our goalie made a terrific save, but the shot was blocked down as he cleared it and the ball went straight into the net. Then we had Roy Malone sent off. We'd also lost our centre back to injury, and then Niall McNamee missed a penalty. So it really was a case of anything that could go wrong, went wrong."
Rhode certainly looked a more mature and confident team when they dispensed of this year's Laois champions Stradbally in last Sunday's quarter-final. They only scored 1-6 to Stradbally's 0-6, but their defence was particularly robust, thanks in part to Darby's son Brian at corner back.
"Well I think we've come a nice bit now from last year," adds Darby. "I know the lads aren't just happy to have won the county title again. They know that they are capable of contesting the bigger matches now, and displaying their wares on a higher stage. So that's the way we feel about things at the moment.
"I think also we've improved throughout the field. The lads are quite aware of the enormity of the task that lies ahead of them. And they're definitely looking forward to it."
Rhode will also start at full strength, with midfielder Fergal Dunne returning to duty having missed last Sunday because of his wedding. Captain Alan McNamee has been playing superb football at midfield all season, with his brother Niall the main scoring threat alongside Pascal Kellaghan.
They mightn't have the same force as the Dublin champions, who are widely expected to prevail, but then that was exact situation when David met Goliath.
