Sean Whelan’s late, late goal clinches the Longford Intermediate title for Fr Manning Gaels

Fr Manning Gaels . . . 1-6  Sean Connolly’s . . . 0-6 

With Dessie Reynolds converting a couple of frees to level matters, it was looking like a draw and extra-time but the Gaels snatched a last gasp win with a goal from their hard-working midfielder Sean Whelan in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

The influential Whelan got the vital touch to a long ball in from Mark Hughes to shatter Sean Connolly’s who then had defender John Rawle sent-off as it all ended in agony for the Ballinalee side in their failure to make amends for the defeat against Kenagh in last year’s county final.

While their quest to capture the Gerry Hennessy Cup (in memory of one of their former players) has developed into a most disappointing story after also falling at the final hurdle in 2014 and 2017, Connolly’s have only themselves to blame for their latest loss after shooting a total of 14 wides as compared to just 3 for the far more economical Drumlish/Ballinamuck outfit.
What a wonderful day it was for the Fr Manning Gaels manager Niall Sheridan and the former Abbeylara SFC winner (man of the match in the 2006 final) deserves a lot of credit for getting the tactics right and particularly so in curtailing the threat of brothers Dessie and Daniel Reynolds, the latter very tightly marked by the physically strong Aaron Quinn.
Martin Cassidy, a constant threat in the full-forward-line, was selected as the man of the match award winner after accounting for half of the six points that were scored by his team on their triumphant return to the senior ranks.
After previously winning the Longford Intermediate title in 2019, the Gaels now face the Laois champions Crettyard in the opening round of the Leinster Club Series at O’Moore Park on Saturday next (4pm).
Winners in the Tier 2 grade for the fourth time (the first back in 1973 when they were amalgamated with Mulllinalaghta), the current Gaels team were well set up by Sheridan in the bid to spring a surprise.
Packing their defence in restricting the Connolly’s attack to just six scores was a fine achievement by the determined men from Drumlish and Ballinamuck and they dominated the first quarter of this torrid encounter to establish a 0-3 to 0-0 lead.
Cian Cassidy fired over the opening point after just 30 seconds and defender JP Farrelly surged forward to land the second score in the 9th minute.
Then came a clear-cut goal chance for Cian (created by Pauric Gill) but Cassidy’s point-blank shot was well saved by the Connolly's keeper John McKenna in the 17th minute.
Moments later prominent wing back Dean Cosgrave shot over the bar and while Connolly’s eventually opened their account with a well struck score from Dessie Reynolds in the 19th minute, they then had another lucky escape when Mark Breslin lost control of the ball when a goal chance was there for the taking.
A point apiece was then exchanged between Dessie (free) and Martin Cassidy and it was Connolly’s who had the last say in the first half with midfielder Daire Duggan firing over a cracking long range point in the 29th minute.
Thus the Gaels had to be content with a slender 0-4 to 0-3 advantage at the break but that was extended with another point from Martin Cassidy in the early stages of the second half with Sean Whelan again the provider.
Moments later Daniel Reynolds finally got his name on the scoresheet and the Connolly’s attacker had a goal attempt blocked by resolute Gaels defender Aaron Quinn in the 43rd minute.
The Ballinalee boys continued to squander the scoring chances and the Gaels went two points ahead (0-6 to 0-4) when Martin Cassidy converted a close range free in the 52nd minute.
Back came the Connolly’s with a brace of points from Dessie Reynolds (frees) to leave the sides all square, the second score in the 59th minute, but their county title hopes were dashed again when Sean Whelan flicked the ball to the net to send the Fr Manning Gaels supporters wild with delight.

FR MANNING GAELS: Paddy Collum; Paul McGee, Darren Reilly, Aaron Quinn; Jamie Nertney, JP Farrelly (0-1), Dean Cosgrave (0-1); Mark Breslin, Sean Whelan (1-0); David Collum, Conor Keenan, Mark Hughes; Cian Cassidy (0-1), Martin Cassidy (0-3, 1 free), Pauric Gill.

Subs:- Kaelum Gill for C Cassidy (50 mins); Cian Brady for D Reilly (58 mins); Cathal Quinn for M Cassidy (60 mins); Kevin Whlean for S Whelan (fifth minute of stoppage time). 

SEAN CONNOLLY’S: John McKenna; Ciaran Mac Eoin, Sean O’Sullivan, Thomas Keogh; John Rawle, Dylan Lynch, Sean Kenny; Daire Duggan (0-1), John Doris; Jack Reilly, Dan Farrell, Ronan McGreal; Daniel Reynolds (0-1), Stephen Lynch, Dessie Reynolds (0-4, 3 frees). 

Subs:- Trevor Murtagh for S Lynch (37 mins); Eugene Murtagh for D Farrell (52 mins); Evan Tully for J Doris (55 mins). 

Referee: Mark Glancy (Rathcline).