Longford SFC: Rathcline spring surprise to rattle under pressure Mullinalaghta

With the notable exception of Rathcline’s surprise win against Mullinalaghta, all the other five games in the opening round of the Senior Football Championship turned out as expected. 

Spurred on by a strong start, the Lanesboro outfit established a comfortable six point lead (1-6 to 0-3) with Oisin Kenny scoring the decisive goal with 22 minutes gone on the clock.

While St Columba’s gradually closed the gap, resilient Rathcline managed to hold out for a great victory (1-11 to 0-12) and the pressure is now firmly on the former Longford and Leinster kings.

Mullinalaghta are facing a very tough battle against Clonguish in Round 2 this weekend while Rathcline will be hard pressed to get a result against Abbeylara.

Wins are also predicted for Killoe (v Carrickedmond), Longford Slashers (v Fr Manning Gaels) and Colmcille (v Mostrim) while the most intriguing game is the meeting of St Mary’s and Dromard. 

 While Granard ran Killoe close on Saturday evening last with Emmet Og winning by the narrow margin of two points, Dromard fielded their best possible team in the easy win over Mostrim and will be a tough nut to crack in the quest to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Peter Hanley Motors Senior Football Championship

Round 2 Fixtures 

Thursday 24 July

Group A

Glennon Brothers Pearse Park: Carrickedmond v Killoe Emmet Og, 8pm

Prediction: Killoe 

Friday 25 July 

Group A

Mullinalaghta, The Laurels: St Mary's Granard v Dromard, 8pm

Prediction: Dromard  

Group B

Newtownforbes, Allen Park: Fr Manning Gaels v Longford Slashers, 8pm

Prediction: Slashers 

Ardagh, Keenan Park: Rathcline v Abbeylara, 8pm 

Prediction: Abbeylara 

Saturday 26 July 

Group A

Ballybrien: Mostrim v Colmcille, 7pm

Prediction: Colmcille  

Group B

Monaduff: Clonguish v Mullinalaghta St Columba's, 7pm

Prediction: Clonguish