Longford GAA: Rathcline relegated as Mullinalaghta snatch last gasp draw

The Mullinalaghta saviour David McGivney, scorer of the last gasp equalising goal, pictured in this tussle against Rathcline opponent Oisin Kenny. Action from the SFC relegation clash at McGann Park Photo: Syl Healy | Syl Healy

placeholder image — The Mullinalaghta saviour David McGivney, scorer of the last gasp equalising goal, pictured in this tussle against Rathcline opponent Oisin Kenny. Action from the SFC relegation clash at McGann Park Photo: Syl Healy | Syl Healy

Peter Hanley Motors Senior Football Championship Relegation Round 2

Mullinalaghta St Columba’s . . . 2-16 Rathcline . . . 2-16

Never-say-die Mullinalaghta snatched a last gasp draw to relegate Rathcline in a drop zone thriller at McGann Park in Kenagh on Friday night.

This was a must win game for the Lanesboro outfit after losing by a point against Carrickedmond in the opening round of the relegation play-offs the previous week.

That mission appeared to be accomplished when they led by three points with time almost time up but a tremendous penetrating run by Shane Mulligan created the opportunity for David McGivney to score the equalising goal

It was a dramatic finish, to say the least, and it was Rathcline who held a narrow 1-7 to 0-8 lead at the break with Oran Kenny getting the goal in the 22nd minute.

Mullinalaghta looked in trouble when Garth O’Reilly scored the second goal for the sannonsiders in the early stages of the second half but the former kings of Longford football were thrown a lifeline when Aidan McElligott finished the ball to the net in the 37th minute.

It was a very exciting ding-dong battle from there until the eventual final whistle with David McGivney the saviour for Mullinalaghta St Columba's who will retain their senior status should they manage to beat Carrickedmond in the remaining relegation shoot-out at Allen Park on Friday night next.