Longford GAA: Carrickedmond produce remarkable late recovery to pip Rathcline

Carrickedmond . . . 1-12 Rathcline . . . 1-11

Carrickedmond produced a remarkable late recovery to edge a tense and hard-hitting Senior Football Championship relegation clash against Rathcline in a frantic finish in McGann Park on Friday night last.

Gareth Johnston’s Rathcline appeared to have done enough when they led by six points, 1-11 to 1-5, with only five minutes of normal time remaining.

Carrick, however, refused to accept defeat and gradually reeled the margin in before Brian Mulvey kicked them in front for the first time deep into injury time with a terrific two pointer free.

There was still time for one final twist. Carrickedmond were controversially penalised for a contentious breach, giving Shane Kenny an opportunity to win the game for Rathcline with a two-point free.

That chance came after a lengthy delay as Eoghan McCormack received treatment after getting injured. When play eventually resumed, Kenny’s difficult attempt dropped short and Carrick survived.

Rathcline had the option of taking a single point and securing a draw which would have left them in a stronger position ahead of Friday’s Round 2 encounter against Mullinalaghta in Kenagh. Instead, they went for the victory and were left empty-handed.

The contest was everything expected of a relegation battle: physical, extremely tense and often untidy. Mistakes were plentiful on both sides, but they added to the unpredictable, end-to-end nature of an old-school championship battle.

Rathcline, without Shane Donohoe, made a blistering start. Iarla O’Sullivan and Oran Kenny landed early points before Garth O’Reilly slapped Kenny’s dropping effort into the net. Those scores arrived from three consecutive possessions and suddenly Rathcline were 1-2 to 0-0 ahead.

Shane Kenny added an excellent two-pointer from play before Aidan McGuire finally opened Carrickedmond’s account. Ryan Carberry, who was a lively presence throughout, replied for Rathcline, with Brian Mulvey then converting a free at the opposite end.

McGuire passed up a major goal opportunity, but Carrick soon found the net through Sean Kelly to bring themselves back into contention. Eugene McCormack’s side, who were without their leading championship performer Kyle Kenny, almost added another goal when Eoghan McCormack struck the post and Diarmuid Kelly drove the rebound wide.

Garret Higgins also made a couple of important saves to deny Rathcline during the closing stages of the first half before Kelly landed a point to leave Carrick only two behind, 1-5 to 1-3, at the break.

A Shane Kenny free reopened Rathcline’s lead after the restart, while Mulvey responded from play for Carrick. Rathcline then appeared to take control through points from Oran Kenny, Oisín Kenny and Jakub Kajan, with another Kenny free further strengthening their position.

Carrickedmond remained within reach through Brian Mulvey’s accuracy from placed balls, but Rathcline still carried a commanding advantage as the game entered its closing stages.

What followed was a dramatic Carrick revival. Sean Kelly started the charge with a point before substitute John McCormack landed a superb two-pointer from around 50 metres. Mulvey converted a brace of frees and then held his nerve to send over a two-point free which put Carrick ahead for the first time.

The closing moments were stretched by McCormack’s injury and the lengthy stoppage, but Carrick survived Rathcline’s final attempt to snatch the game and secured a precious victory.

CARRICKEDMOND: Garret Higgins; Conor Mulvey, Rioch Farrell, Dermot Brady; Diarmuid Kelly, Barry O’Farrell, Sean Egan; Liam Glennon, Enda Farrell; Cormac Mulvey, Eoghán McCormack, Pauric Dempsey; Brian Mulvey (0-7, 1tpf, 4f), Sean Kelly (1-2), Aidan McGuire (0-1).

Subs:- John McCormack (0-2, 1tp) for Pauric Dempsey (46 mins); Marty Mulvey for Cormac Mulvey (55 mins); Darragh Mulligan for Eoghan McCormack (fifth minute of stoppage time).

RATHCLINE: David Mulvihill; Matthew Heneghan, Harvey Myhill, David Rooney; Niall Keane, Jakub Kajan (0-1), Oisín Kenny (0-1); Shane Kenny (0-4, 2f, 1tp), Michael Morrissey; Iarla O’Sullivan (0-1), Garth O’Reilly (1-0), Ryan Carberry (0-2); Ben Murphy, Bryn Peters, Oran Kenny (0-2).

Sub:- James Carroll for Garth O’Reilly (37 mins).

Referee: David Reynolds (Killoe Emmet Og).