GAA: A smooth Rhode run by Rathnew; Rhode (Offaly) 2-6 Rathnew (Wicklow) 1-3.

Byline: By PAUL KEANE 

RHODE braved their very own Battle of Aughrim, eventually killing off Rathnew to progress to the next round of the Leinster Club Football Championship.

It wasn't pretty and it wasn't football for the purist but that won't matter for Stephen Darby and his Rhode side.

In all six yellows and a red card were dished out over the hour as conditions underfoot deteriorated.

Against that background it was always going to be a war of attrition but it was one that Rhode came out on top.

County star Niall McNamee led the scoring from corner-forward with four fine points, equalling Mark Coyle's tally of 1-1.

Coyle's early goal in the very first minute put Rhode into a great position and they never looked back despite failing to kill off the game.

A similar goal from the Offaly side at the start of the second-half proved the winner.

Rhode now progress to face Laois champions Stradbally next weekend.

"We'll need a week in itself to recover from this game because it took an awful lot out of the players," said Rhode boss Darby.

"Our backs played out of their skins and kept Rathnew to very few scores. All of the lads deserve great credit."

Despite the difficult opening and the goals at the start of either half, Rathnew still weren't written off.

Over the years the Wicklow champions have proved themselves dogs of war in this competition.

And the expected fightback duly arrived from them after the restart, albeit only when they had Barry Mernagh sent-off for an off the ball offence.

"We were five points down at half-time but even at that I said to the lads the game was still there for us," lamented Rathnew boss Harry Murphy.

In truth, all parties will forget this tie quickly which was most notable for its lack of any real spark.

Rhode hinted at a lively affair when Mark Coyle punched home from close range in the first minute after Alan McNamee's ball in.

But they only managed another three points before the break, compared to Rathnew's one - James Stafford.

Alan's brother, Niall, landed two of those first-half points for Rhode and they led 1-3 to 0-1 by the break.

All was not lost for Rathnew who needed a goal badly and they sprung Barry Mernagh from the bench.

Three minutes later he was back on it again after a red card dismissal for an off the ball strike and moments later Pascal Kellaghan fisted to the net for Rhode.

Trailing 0-1 to 2-3 it looked all over for Rathnew - but that's when they got going.

True to form Rathnew fought back and Tommy Gill converted a sideline kick before Mark Coffey popped over another fine point.

Then after 46 minutes Anthony Mernagh received a lay-off from a high ball in and planted it home to the net from 10 yards out. The Wicklow men never scored again.

RHODE: C Masterson; M Cassidy, S Sullivan, B Darby (0-1); J Kilmurray, D Bannon, Eoin Byrne; A McNamee, F Dunne; M Coyle (1-1), P Sullivan, D Kellaghan; P Kellaghan (1-0), D Hope, N McNamee (0-4; 1f). Subs: G Hickey for D Kellaghan 40, Eddie Byrne for Sullivan 61.

RATHNEW: T Murphy; A Clarke, D Power, M Coffey (0-1); S Byrne, L Glynn, C Murphy; J Stafford (0-1), D Byrne; A Mernagh (1-0), T Doyle, R Duignam; N Mernagh, T Gill (0-1; 1 s/l), S Doherty. Subs: J McDonald for Murphy 38, B Mernagh for Doherty h/t, M Doyle for Byrne 64.

CAPTION(S):

A HITMAN: Rhode forward Niall McNamee