Longford SFC: Shooting star Shane Kenny (0-10) shines for Rathcline in win against Abbeylara

Building on their fine win over Mullinalaghta in the opening round, Rathcline were on fire again to spring another surprise against the title holders Abbeylara in Group B of the Senior Football Championship at Keenan Park in Ardagh on Friday night last. 

Rathcline . . . 0-18    Abbeylara . . . 0-10

Four two-pointers from Shane Kenny (2), Oran Kenny and Bryn Peters in the first half laid the foundations for the latest success as the Lanesboro underdogs established a comfortable 0-11 to 0-6 lead at the break.

Inspired by chief marksman Shane Kenny, Rathcline kept the scoreboard ticking over to come out on top in fairly emphatic fashion and are now in a strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals under the driving force of their manager Gareth Johnston.

Shane Kenny opened the scoring with a well struck ‘45 to kick start his evening in confidence. He would go on to have a flawless display with as good as placekicking you would see across the country. 

Abbeylara captain Cian Brady gave his side the lead with a superbly struck two pointer from the outside of his boot. Oran Kenny levelled and when Shane Kenny hit his first two pointer free, his side wouldn’t relinquish the lead again. 

Bryn Peters gave a very strong display in the middle of the park where Rathcline managed to win the midfield battle despite being up against one of the most physical teams in the championship. Peters used his long range ability to double Rathcline's lead with a second two pointer on the bounce. 

Robbie Smyth replied with a free but the Abbey talisman had to retire with a reoccurring groin problem. This Abbey side revolve a lot of their play around the former county marksman and they struggled to create openings in his absence. 

With no option to go long, they ran a lot of the ball through the hands and ultimately were turned over in the tackle by a determined Rathcline defence swarming in numbers. 

Oran Kenny fired over the sole two pointer for his side from play as well as two singles and he was also winning frees which were looking all too easy for the eldest Kenny. Shane Kenny hit almost every type of score available to him with a ‘45, sideline, one pointer free and two pointer free to his name and the 40m arc and two pointers now available is a major asset to Rathcline ahead of most other clubs. 

Karl O’Hara and Brian Masterson reduced arrears before the break with the final two scores of the first half to send Abbey 5 behind at the break. But, Abbey did not return to play as one might expect, a purple patch never materialised and it took them 20 minutes into the second half before they would score again. 

In the meantime, Seadhna Ryan and the Kenny brothers pointed to increase their sides lead. Abbey eventually pointed through replacement Jason Kelly and county man Cian Brady got his second two pointer. 

The score of the game fell then to Shane Kenny who fantastically executed a line ball from out near the ‘45, Maurice Fitz esque to the delight of everyone in attendance. 

Rathcline’s clever use of the ball platformed by their very intelligent half back line in Iarla O’ Sullivan, David Rooney and Seadhna Ryan accompanied by one of the most potent inside lines in the county leaves them a dangerous opposition for any team. Johnston also had instilled a belief and determination in the side that they can beat anyone and they’re proving it.

RATHCLINE: David Mulvihill; Kevin Tansey, Jakub Kajan, Blaine Fallon; Seadhna Ryan, David Rooney, Iarla O Sullivan; Bryn Peters (0-2, 1 two pointer), Garth O’Reilly; Kian Gilmore, Harvey Myhill, Oisin Kenny; Oran Kenny (0-6, 1 two pointer, 1f), Shane Kenny (0-10, 1 ‘45, 1 sideline, 1f, 3 two pointer frees), James Carroll. 

Subs:- Shane Donohoe for K Gilmore (41 mins); Cronan Flood for J Carroll (45 mins); Chris Brady for G O’Reilly (50 mins); Sean Casey for H Myhill (55 mins); Ben Murphy for B Fallon (58 mins). 

ABBEYLARA: Gavin Kelly; Mel Mulligan, CP Smyth, Bryan Masterson (0-1); Cian Brady (0-5, 2 two pointers), PJ Masterson, Colin Gilna; Fergal Battrim; Russell Brady, Caolan Lynch; Nigel Rabbitt (0-1, 1f), Sean Fagan, Robbie Smyth (0-1, f), Padraig Berry, Karl O’Hara (0-1). 

Subs:- Jason Kelly (0-1, f) for R Smyth (injured, 21 mins), Reece Reilly for N Rabbitt (half-time); Willie Crawford for C Lynch (50 mins); Kieran Mulvihill for P Berry (53 mins); C Gilligan for K O’Hara (55 mins). 

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Ballymahon).