Longford SFC: Rathcline withstand late Clonguish comeback to triumph in thriller
Peter Hanley Motors Senior Football Championship Group 2 - Round 4
Rathcline . . . 4-10 Clonguish . . . 2-13
It looked all over when Iarla O’Sullivan raced through to score the fourth goal for Rathcline with five minutes of normal time remaining to leave his side leading by the wide margin of nine points, 4-9 to 0-12.
The Lanesboro outfit were down to 14 players at this stage after Shane Kenny received a black card in the 50th minute but Clonguish staged a remarkable recovery during the frantic final few minutes to close the gap to just two points.
Two goals in quick succession from Jack Duggan (who clocked up the most impressive tally of 2-8 in total) had Rathcline reeling on the ropes and while Chris Gordon then fisted the ball over the bar, gallant Clonguish were unable to deliver the knockout blow.
The late, late drama in this amazing match was not over yet as Clonguish’s Cian Sutton (straight red card) and Rathcline’s Shane Donohoe (second yellow) were sent-off in stoppage time before Cronan Flood surged forward to register the insurance point for the shannonsiders.
RATHCLINE: David Mulvihill; Jack Rooney, Jakub Kajan, David Rooney (1-0); Cillian Flood (0-1), Shane Donohoe, James Carroll; Iarla O'Sullivan (1-0), Shane Kenny (1-3, two points from frees); Seadna Ryan, Cronan Flood (0-2), Ronan English; Oran Kenny (1-4, one point from free, Bryn Peters, Aaron Kenny.
Sub:- Oisin O'Sullivan for R English (injured, 48 mins).
CLONGUISH: Mikie McGuinness; Adam Shields, Gerry Moore, Cian Sutton; Niall O'Reilly, Ronan Sweeney, Ryan McHugh (0-1); Peter Hanley, Liam Casey; Chris Gordon (0-2), Jack Duggan (2-8, four points from frees), Francie Molloy; Matthew Flynn, Joe O'Brien (0-2), Josh Sorohan.
Subs:- Conor Shields for P Hanley (injured, half-time); Darran Quinn and James Galligan for R McHugh and N O'Reilly (both in the 42nd minute); Alan Gregg for J Sorohan (51 mins).
Referee: Brendan Keena (Ballynacargy).