McNamee on fire for Rhode as Durrow reach Offaly SFC semis

Offaly's Niall McNamee gains possession against Derry. ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan.

Niall McNamee rolled back the years by scoring 3-8 for Rhode against Ferbane last evening as the Offaly SFC reached its knockout stages.

The county star shot 3-6 from play in a 4-12 to 3-13 win for the county champions who will now face Shamrocks in the quarter-final. Despite the defeat and the best efforts of Joe Maher who posted 1-10, Ferbane are also through to the quarter-finals where they will take on Edenderry.

Both heavyweights had to give second best to last year’s senior ‘B’ champions Durrow who beat Cappincur 1-13 to 0-11 to finish top of Group 1 and thereby qualify directly for the semi-finals. Fellow parishioners Tullamore are also through to the semi-finals as Group 2 winners. A 0-15 to 2-9 draw with Edenderry was enough to give Niall Stack’s charges top spot in the group.

The only knockout game was the meeting of Shamrocks and Bracknagh which ended in a 1-11 to 1-8 victory for the Rahan-parish outfit. Bracknagh will now contest the relegation playoff against Cappincur.