Rhode manager Tom Coffey has admitted that Shane Sullivan's straight red card against Eire Og is a huge blow to their chances of claiming a first Leinster club football title at Kilmacud Crokes' expense. The county player and centre back was sent off for striking Eric McCormack just six minutes into the second half of Rhode's 3-9 to 0-4 victory over the Carlow champions and will automatically miss the final next month. "Shane has been a key man for us over the last seven years, not least in this year's county final and against Portlaoise, so someone will have to take his jersey now and do the business for us," said former Offaly star Coffey. While having no complaints about the outcome, Eire Og manager Turlough O'Brien argued that Offaly's first goal, which came from a Niall McNamee penalty, should not have been allowed. "Their first goal, no way was it a penalty, he was outside the square," he said. "The one just after half-time might have been a bit dodgy alright but we wouldn't quibble with that really. The final scoreline didn't really reflect the game but Rhode were certainly the better side and I hope they go on and win it now." Tweet

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