Longford ACFL: Late goal the clincher for Abbeylara in crucial win over Carrickedmond

Abbeylara . . . 1-15   Carrickedmond . . . 0-14

Just when it appeared that Carrickedmond were going to get a result in their quest to qualify for the Leader Cup semi-final, Abbeylara struck the killer blow with a cracking goal from Bryan Masterson in the 57th minute of the crucial All County Football League Division 1 clash at Michael Moran Park on Friday night last.
Without regular midfielder Ciaran Scanlon (who is away touring) a definite plus for the county champions this season is the graduation to the senior grade of last year’s Leinster winning minors Sean Fagan and Karl O’Hara under the guidance of former Roscommon star Frankie Dolan.
Frankie was the man in charge for Abbeylara’s long overdue senior championship success last year and the general opinion is that the battle for the coveted Connolly Cup is a wide open affair.
It remains to be seen what will happen and Carrickedmond will also be quietly confident of an extended run in the race for the 2025 county title
The absence of the unavailable key forward Aidan McGuire proved to be a considerable blow for Carrick, who were playing catch up for the entire match, and Eugene McCormack’s side were just two points behind (0-14 to 0-12) prior to the decisive late goal that was created by PJ Masterson.
Surprise results elsewhere last weekend has given Abbeylara a lifeline for a place in the top four with Carrick still in contention as Clonguish claim the Division 1 title for the Johnny Skelly Cup
The final round of fixtures are scheduled for this weekend and the eventual bottom 4 teams will meet in the relegation play-offs to determine which club drops down into Division 2 of the All County League.
Wind assisted Abbeyara got off to a flying start at Moran Park to lead by 0-4 to 0-0 with the scores coming from county players Caolan Lynch and Cian Brady while Jason Kelly and Sean Fagan were also on target for the Connoly Cup holders.
Lynch had a goal chance saved by Carrickedmond keeper Garret Higgins before the home side finally awoke from their slumber with a well struck point from Liam Glennon in the 14th minute.
Three more scores quickly followed from Eoghan McCormack (free), wing back Pauric Dempsey and Brian Mulvey (free) to leave the sides all square before Abbey regained the lead with Karl O’Hara landing the point.
Sean Kelly then shot over the bar for Carrick before the visitors registered three points in a row through Robbie Smyth, O’Hara and Jason Kelly.

Just before the break Sean Kelly kicked a disputed score for Carrickedmond who trailed by 0-8 to 0-6 going into the second half and a ding-dong battle developed with Abbeylara adding another 1-7 to their tally.

Three of the points came from frees converted by Robbie with Sean Fagan (when a goal was on), Jason Kelly, Nigel Rabbitt (free) and Cian Brady (the last score of the game in the third minute of stoppage time) also on the mark while Carrick replied with 0-8 including the solitary two-pointer (free) from Eoghan McCormack.

The other scores came from McCormack (free), Cormac Mulvey (who raced through to fist the ball over the bar), Brian Mulvey (3 frees) and Glennon but it was not enough to salvage the situation despite the stiff wind advantage on the changeover.

CARRICKEDMOND: Garret Higgins; Conor Mulvey, Padraig McGrath, Darragh Mulligan; Dermot Brady, Diarmuid Kelly, Pauric Dempsey (0-1); Enda Farrell, Barry O’Farrell; John McCormack, Eoghan McCormack (0-4, 2 frees, 1 two-pointer free), Sean Kelly (0-2); Brian Mulvey (0-4, frees), Liam Glennon (0-2), Cormac Mulvey (0-1).

Subs:- Marty Mulvey for J McCormack (half-time); Paddy Farrell for E Farrell (45 mins); Jack Dempsey for Cormac Mulvey (injured, 45 mins); Fionn Morgan for P McGrath (50 mins); Michael Cahill for D Mulligan (55 mins).  

ABBEYLARA: Gavin Kelly; Michael McHugh, Colin Gilna, Mel Brady; Cian Brady (0-2), PJ Masterson, Bryan Masterson (1-0); Fergal Battrim, Russell Brady; Sean Fagan (0-2), Robbie Smyth (0-4, 3 frees), Caolan Lynch (0-1); Jason Kelly (0-3), Karl O’Hara (0-2), Nigel Rabbitt (0-1, free).

Subs:- Padraig Berry for N Rabbitt (51 mins); Reece Reilly for S Fagan (54 mins); Mel Mulligan for R Brady (stoppage time).

Referee: Hugh O’Kane (Young Grattans). 

Other Round 8 Results

Mullinalaghta St Columba's 0-16 Clonguish 0-15  

Emmet Park: St Mary’s Granard 2-11 Killoe Emmet Og 1-13

McGee Park: Dromard 1-12 Colmcille 1-11 

Following their narrow win (0-16 to 0-15) over the previously unbeaten Division 1 league champions Clonguish at the Laurels on Saturday evening, Mullinalaghta are through to the Leader Cup semi-finals.
Clonguish and Colmcille have also qualified with Killoe, Abbeylara and Carrickedmond the contenders for the last spot.