Longford GAA: Colmcille crowned Division 1 league champions

Colmcille crowned an outstanding All County Football League Division 1 campaign with a hard-earned draw against Carrickedmond in the final round at Fr. McGee Park on Friday night last before captain Cathal Reilly accepted the Johnny Skelly Cup from Longford GAA Chairperson Derek Fahy.

Colmcille . . . 1-9 Carrickedmond . . . 1-9

The title had already been secured earlier in the week when Clonguish suffered defeat to Mullinalaghta, leaving Colmcille uncatchable at the summit.

Last Friday’s result ensured the champions completed the league unbeaten, a rare achievement in the county’s premier division.

Colmcille have been the standout side throughout the campaign. While they undoubtedly benefited from having no county panellists absent for large portions of the league, unlike many of their rivals, they still demonstrated tremendous consistency and squad depth across all nine rounds.

Evidenced by their experiment of players in new positions and Noel Farrell, Barry McKeon, Paul McKeon, Ruairi Harkin, Conor Grant and Ciaran McKeon all taking a rest, the strength of the Colmcille panel was clear as capable replacements stepped in.

The second half introductions of Cathal Reilly, Jack Macken, Gerard Mulligan, Keelan Hudson and Eoin Hawkins – all of whom featured in last year’s county final – proved influential as the hosts battled back for a draw with the aid of a strong breeze.

Carrickedmond were without county panellists Aidan McGuire and Liam Glennon as well as defender Diarmuid Kelly.

Worth noting that the county board reached out to clubs before the final round to see would it be plausible to postpone the final round until after the Longford game but the clubs voted for them to remain as they were.

COLMCILLE: Ryan Farrell, Colin Farley, Eoghan Williams, Sean Smith, Dylan McCabe, Martin Mulligan, Matthew Farrell (0-2), Aaron Smyth, Ronan Williams, Vinny Hourican (0-2, 1tp), Paul Farley (0-1), Luke Donnelly (1-0p), Cathal McCabe (0-1), Fergal Sheridan, Declan Reilly.

Subs:- Jack Macken (0-3, 1tp, 1f) for Ronan Williams (38 mins), Cathal Reilly for Paul Farley (40 mins), Gerard Mulligan for Matthew Farrell (41 mins), Eoin Hawkins for Fergal Sheridan (55 mins), Keelan Hudson for Cathal McCabe (62 mins).

CARRICKEDMOND: Garret Higgins, Conor Mulvey, Rioch Farrell, Dermot Brady, Sean Egan, Enda Farrell, Darragh Mulligan (0-1), Barry O’Farrell, Sean Kelly (0-1), Pauric Dempsey, Eoghán McCormack, Marty Mulvey (0-1), Cormac Mulvey (0-1f), Brian Mulvey (1-5, 1tpf), Ross Doherty.

Subs:- Fionn Morgan for Dermot Brady (injured, 35 mins), Michael Cahill for Ross Doherty (47 mins), Paddy Farrell for Darragh Mulligan (injured, 56 mins).

Referee: Hugh O’Kane (Grattans).