Longford SFC Final: Hard to call the champions as Abbeylara and Colmcille clash for glory

One of the most talked about senior football championships for different reasons is quickly coming to a conclusion with near neighbours Abbeylara and Colmcille clashing in the eagerly awaited county final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park this Sunday, throw-in 4pm.

For the first time since 2013 when Longford Slashers defeated Dromard (1-11 to 1-9) in the Connolly Cup decider, there is no presence of Killoe or Mullinalaghta on the biggest day of the year in Longford GAA.

A breath of fresh air for some of the other title contenders and few can argue with the fact that Abbeylara and Colmcille are there on merit in the most wide open championship for quite some time.

Those tough games in the so called ‘group of death’ that ended up in a blaze of controversy  have certainly stood to revitalised Abbeylara who are enjoying a new lease of life this season under the guidance of their shrewd manager Frankie Dolan. 

Former Roscommon star Frankie is used to tasting the sweet smell of success, both with his native club St Brigid’s Kiltoom along with his unforgettable man of the match performance when his adopted Ballymahon beat Clonguish in the 2002 final which was refereed by none other than the present day full-time Longford GAA Secretary and Abbeylara clubman Peter O’Reilly.  

Whether Dolan can guide Abbey across the final hurdle remains to be seen but he has instilled a serious self belief into the players, clearly reflected in the determined manner in which they sprang a big surprise to knock out the title holders Killoe in the semi-final.

Just a single point (0-10 to 0-9) separated the sides in the finish and that has been the general trend for Abbeylara in the current campaign.

Slender wins by the minimum of margins over Slashers and Dromard, along with draws against Mullinalaghta and Carrickedmond, suggests yet another close encounter in the county final that is hard to call. 

Brothers PJ and Bryan Masterson, Cian Brady, Colm P Smyth and Michael McHugh backbone a very tight defence while Ciaran Scanlon and Fergal Battrim are a solid midfield pairing that are capable of making a big impact.

Leading the charge in the attack will be the prolific Robbie Smyth, always a potential matchwinner, while the emergence of the towering figure of young Caolan Lynch is a definite bonus for Abbelyara such is his ability to win the ball.

And what about the vastly experienced Berry brothers Padraig and Conor in the full-forward-line! Conor is back in action this year after a lengthy absence and he has the distinction of winning the man of the match award in the 2015 county final despite the defeat against Killoe.

More bitter disappointment followed for Abbeylara who lost out to Mullinalaghta in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 finals so maybe the time has come for them to break that jinx in their fierce desire to capture the coveted Connolly Cup that last ended up in the small North Longford parish back in 2006.

Colmcille will have something to say about that and the Ger Carberry coached side have recovered really well from a bad defeat against Killoe in the opening round of the group stage to move within a step of being crowned the county champions for the second time in the space of 3  years.

Many matches have been won this year with former St Mary’s Granard manager Ryan Casey a vital member of the new Colmcille management team who have already guided the club to a couple of league titles - Michael Moran Cup and Patsy Reilly Cup. 

Relegation to Division 2 has not hampered their progress in any way and they are now on the brink of becoming only the second club from outside the top flight in the league to claim the Connolly Cup - ironically Abbeylara were the first team to achieve that fine feat back in 2006. 

After little difficulty in accounting for Kenagh, Granard, Mostrim and Rathcline in the group stage, Colmcille really proved their worth in overcoming a well fancied Clonguish side in the quarter-final (1-7 to 0-8) with the clever Ger Carberry instrumental in winning the tactical battle. 

It was more of the same tight and compact situation in the narrow semi-final win (0-11 to 1-6) over Mullinalaghta and it must be said that Colmcille are a battle hardened unit who are inspired by the evergreen Declan Reilly in the heart of the defence. 

Former Longford great Declan at almost 40 years of age is still making a major influence in taking control of things with strong support from current county players Enda Macken and Ruairi Harkin, along with reliable corner-backs Gerard Mulligan and Conor Grant.

Let us not forget the valuable contribution of goalkeeper Noel Farrell (an extra defender) and wing back Dylan McCabe with the latter ruled out with a long term injury for the 2022 title triumph under the then manager Mickey Harkin, father of Ruairi.  

Fergal Sheridan and Vinny Hourican are a physically powerful midfield pairing who will be difficult to contain while there is plenty of scoring power in the Colmcille attack led by the experienced McKeon brothers Barry and Paul.

A cause for concern is the injury that forced captain Barry to retire in the second half against Mullinalaghta but with other key players in Jack Macken, Cathal McCabe and Cathal Reilly the workload in the forward division will be shared in the quest to crack the competent Abbeylara defence.

On the basis that Colmcille look like the better-balanced team they are given a hesitant vote to emerge victorious but are facing a highly charged Abbeylara outfit who will be hoping to end a long barren spell for the club in the bid to win the senior football championship for the first time in 18 years.  

Prediction: Colmcille

Big Match Referee: Tony Gaffney (Mostrim)