Longford SFC: Crucial goals a decisive factor as Colmcille conquer Abbeylara

Colmcille gained sweet revenge for the defeat against Abbeylara in last year’s title decider when they came storming back to conquer the reigning champions amid the wind and rain in terrible weather conditions at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday.

Colmcille . . . 2-10    Abbeylara . . . 0-13 

Showing a fierce desire to emerge victorious after what happened in 2024, Ger Carberry’s charges recovered from a bad start as Abbeylara raced into a 0-6 to 0-0 lead after just six minutes following a brace of two-pointers (play) from Robbie Smyth and Nigel Rabbitt.

The quest to reach the Senior Football Championship semi-final against Clonguish appeared to be badly hit at this early stage but Colmcille got back into contention with a somewhat fortunate goal from Barry McKeon in the 9th minute as his low drive found a way past the opposing keeper Barney Crawford.

As it turned out, Abbeylara managed to register just a solitary point during the remainder of the first half with Colm P Smyth on target and he was sorely missed when injury forced him to retire in the 12th minute of the second half. 

After a dipping shot from Cathal Reilly clipped the crossbar, a terrific ball into the heart of the Abbeylara goalmouth from Fergal Sheridan picked out Cathal McCabe and he made no mistake in finishing the ball to the net in the 27th minute.

That goal left his side in front by a couple of points, 2-3 to 0-7, at the break and while Barry McKiernan fisted the ball over the bar in the opening minute of the second half the wind assisted Colmcille struck to score a couple of two-pointers in quick succession from Jack Macken (free) and Ruairi Harkin.

It took a tremendous save from the Colmcille keeper Noel Farrell to deflect a goalbound shot from Colin Gilna over the bar in the 40th minute and further Abbeylara points followed from McKiernan (his third) and Gilna to make it very interesting indeed.

Then came another two-pointer from Harkin and a missed goal opportunity from Macken before the consistently influential Colmcille defender Declan Reilly blocked a certain goal in the 53rd minute. 

The best Abbey could manage during the rest of the game was a point from a Nigel Rabbit free as gutsy Colmcille stood firm to come out on top. 

COLMCILLE: Noel Farrell; Colin Farley, Eoghan Williams, Conor Grant; Martin Mulligan, Declan Reilly, Ruairi Harkin (0-4, brace of two-pointers from play); Gerard Mulligan, Fergal Sheridan (0-1); Sean Smith, Cathal Reilly, Cathal McCabe (1-1); Ciaran McKeon, Jack Macken (0-2, two-pointer free), Barry McKeon (1-2, 1 free).

Subs:- Paul McKeon for C McKeon (40 mins); Vinny Hourican for C Farley (47 mins); Eoin Hawkins for S Smith (47 mins); Paul Farley for F Sheridan (58 mins). 

ABBEYLARA: Bernard Crawford; Bryan Masterson, Colm P Smyth (0-1), Colin Gilna (0-2); Cian Brady, PJ Masterson, Russell Brady; Fergal Battrim, Caolan Lynch (0-1); Cathal Gilligan, Nigel Rabbitt (0-3, two pointer from play, 1 free), Sean Fagan; Padraig Berry, Robbie Smyth (0-3,  two-pointer from play), Barry McKiernan (0-3).

Subs:- Ciaran Scanlon for S Fagan (half-time); Mel Mulligan for CP Smyth (injured, 42 mins); Karl O’Hara for P Berry (49 mins); Mel Brady for R Brady (53 mins); Reece Reilly for R Smyth (stoppage time). 

Referee: Patrick Maguire (St Mary’s Granard).