Moorefield manager Luke Dempsey's knowledge of Rhode could have a crucial bearing on today's Leinster club SFC semi-final at O'Connor Park.

The teacher in St. Joseph's, Rochfortbridge not only taught many of the Rhode players, but also helped shaped them as footballers through his coaching in the Westmeath school.

As soon as it became known that Moorefield and Rhode would be meeting in the semi-final, Luke's friends in the north Offaly village - it's also where his wife Mary hails from - were letting him know that they were determined to avenge their defeat to the Newbridge outfit eight years ago.

"A lot of past pupils of mine and present pupils had been reminding me that when they got us they were going to reverse the 2006 result. So they really are gunning for us now," he said.

"They have good footballers throughout the field and Rhode is a great football village. I know Rhode so well. My wife is from there, I know a lot of the players and they will leave no stone unturned.

"It's going to be a great match. It's a semi-final and everybody hates losing semi-finals, and it's going to be a very, very close game."

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