Longford SFC: Fergal Battrim fires over cracking winning point for Abbeylara against Dromard

Abbeylara . . . 0-13    Dromard . . . 0-12 

Abbeylara edged out Dromard in a tight tussle in the Senior Football Championship Round 3 clash with Fergal Battrim firing over a cracking long range winning point in stoppage time at Fr. McGee Park in Aughnacliffe last Sunday evening. 

These sides haven’t met since the 2021 championship having avoided each other in the past two championships but once again produced another entertaining encounter which showcased an excellent array of point taking.

Joseph Hagan made his return for Dromard and they raced into an early lead with Aaron Farrell shooting a couple of points either side of a Diarmuid Masterson effort to take a 3 point lead.
Robbie Smyth got Abbey off the mark with a great score before powerful midfielder Ciaran Scanlon raised his first white flag. Caolan Lynch pointed to draw the game for the first time in a frantic opening 10 minutes.
Temporary sub Nigel Rabbitt made his mark with a fisted effort to give Abbey the lead for the first time. Reece Reilly became the fifth different scorer for each of their scores in the 18th minute when he doubled the lead.

Robbie Smyth, of course, was the chief marksman for his side once again but Frankie Dolan would be pleased with the spread of scores. 7 of his side including 5 of the 7 forwards played and 2 of his midfielders got their name on the scoresheet for this well balanced team.
Fionn Hourican carried his side out of defence as he has done throughout this championship and finished his solo run with a fine point to leave one in it. Diarmuid Masterson then backed his talents to notch a mark with his left foot to equalise.Robbie Smyth kicked a wonderful score to regain the lead for Abbey before the point of the day fell to corner forward Cathal Gilligan who showcased a dummy before capping it off with a sublime point from the outside of his boot to take back his side’s two point advantage. Though, that would be the last time any team would lead by more than 1 in this close encounter.
Frankie McGee fired over a brace of frees before the break to tie up affairs at 7 apiece at the interval. On the resumption of play, Robbie and Frankie traded a brace of points apiece (frees) before Cathal Gilligan and Diarmuid Masterson then exchanged efforts from play as the sides couldn’t be separated.Frankie kicked his 5th free of the game then as Dromard became the first team to hit back to back points in the second half and took the lead once again. Ciaran Scanlon levelled up with a terrific ‘45 before Aaron Farrell weaved his way inward from the touch line to take his third point from play.
Nigel Rabbitt tied up matters for the 8th and final time when he pointed as the clock winded down. Both sides pushed for the winner and the all important chance fell to the hands of midfielder Fergal Battrim who despite being under pressure landed a real gem of a score from 50 yards out to give Abbeylara the lead.
Dromard went in pursuit for the equaliser as Abbey attacker Robbie Smyth was given his marching orders but despite the cohort of match winners on their side, Dromard failed to get the ball in the scoring zone and lost the ball in possession and subsequently the game.Abbeylara end the weekend’s action top of the Group B minefield while Dromard remain in contention with a crunch clash against Clonguish after the break.

ABBEYLARA: Gavin Kelly; Colin Gilna, PJ Masterson, Russell Brady; Cian Brady, Michael McHugh, Colm P Smyth; Fergal Battrim (0-1), Ciaran Scanlon (0-2, 1 ‘45); Reece Reilly (0-1), Jason Kelly, Caolan Lynch (0-1); Robbie Smyth (0-4, 1f), Cathal Gilligan (0-2), Bernard Crawford. 

Subs:- Nigel Rabbitt (0-2) for C  Brady (temp, 12 mins), C Brady for N Rabbitt (temp over, 17 mins); N Rabbitt for B Crawford (half-time); B Crawford for CP Smyth (58 mins).

DROMARD: Ollie Duffy; Ronan Corcoran, Dylan McCormack, Christopher Grimes; Peter Reynolds, Ronan Bleakley, Fionn Hourican (0-1); Joseph Hagan, Ronan McEntire; Rory O’Toole, Francis McGee (0-5, 5f), Conor McGauran; Jamsie Martin, Diarmuid Masterson (0-3, 1m), Aaron Farrell (0-3).

 Subs:- Daniel Conboy for J Martin (injured, 21 mins); Bernard Sheridan for D Conboy (44 mins); Dylan Vance for C McGauran (47 mins).

Referee: Patrick Maguire (St Mary’s Granard).