Longford SFC: Abbeylara’s first half goals rattle Rathcline

Robbie Smyth (who scored 0-7) on the attack for Abbeylara in his bid to evade the challenge of Rathcline defender Blaine Fallon. Action from the Senior Football Championship Round 1 game at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park Photo: Syl Healy | Syl Healy

placeholder image — Robbie Smyth (who scored 0-7) on the attack for Abbeylara in his bid to evade the challenge of Rathcline defender Blaine Fallon. Action from the Senior Football Championship Round 1 game at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park Photo: Syl Healy | Syl Healy

Peter Hanley Motors Senior Football Championship Group A - Round 1

Abbeylara . . . 3-24 Rathcline . . . 2-11

Superior in most positions on the pitch, Abbeylara got their senior football championship challenge off to a flying start with a comprehensive win over Rathcline in the Group A Round 1 clash at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Friday evening.

The wide margin of 16 points separated the sides in the finish and most of the damage was inflicted in the first half as rampant Abbey built up a commanding 3-12 to 0-6 lead thanks to a brace of goals from U-18 player Dylan Ledwith with Cathal Gilligan also on target.

With the absence of the injured Iarla O’Sullivan a big blow, rattled Rathcline were in a state of shock and it was a poor show from the side who reached the semi-final last year.

The element of surprise is now gone as Abbeylara (without long term casualty PJ Masterson) were well prepared for what was supposed to be a tough task but it never materialised.

Tight in defence, dominant at midfield and slick and sharp in attack with another young gun Sean Fagan particularly impressive in leading the charge at centre-half-forward, the 2024 county champions were never in any danger in this one-side encounter.

Rathcline were given a glimmer of hope with a first half goal from Shane Kenny and the gap was only four points with 22 minutes gone on the clock but a killer second goal followed from Dylan Ledwith to put Abbey in complete control.

It was a reality check for the subdued Lanesboro outfit and it could have been worse as keeper David Mulvihill produced a brilliant save to deflect a Nigel Rabbitt penalty over the bar in the 49th minute.

Oisin Kenny scored a late consolation goal for Rathcline when his long range shot ended up in the back of the net and next up is a meeting with the reigning champions Killoe at Leo Casey Park on Saturday July 25th.

ABBEYLARA: Barney Crawford; Bryan Masterson, Cian O’Reilly, Colin Gilna (0-1); Michael McHugh, Fergal Battrim (0-3, 1 two-pointer), Nigel Rabbitt (0-5, 2 frees, 1 penalty); Caolan Lynch (0-1), Cian Brady; Matthew Quinn, Sean Fagan (0-3), Dylan Ledwith (2-0); Robbie Smith (0-7, 1 two-pointer, 3 frees), Cathal Gilligan (1-1), Karl O’Hara.

Subs:- Jason Kelly (0-2) for R Smyth (injured, 43 mins); Mel Brady for M McHugh (47 mins); Mel Mulligan for D Ledwith (53 mins); JJ Reilly (0-1) for S Fagan (57 mins); Daniel Mickelson for K O’Hara (60 mins).

RATHCLINE: David Mulvihill; Blaine Fallon, David Rooney, Cormac Casey; Seadna Ryan, Shane Donohoe, Harvey Myhill; Michael Morrissey, Oisin Kenny (1-0); Niall Keogh, Ryan Carberry, James Carroll; Oran Kenny (0-7, 2 frees), Shane Kenny (1-2), Bryn Peters (0-2, two-pointer).

Subs:- Matthew Heneghan for D Rooney (injured, 13 mins); Ben Murphy for N Keogh (27 mins); Garth O’Reilly for S Ryan (40 mins); Dara Cox for B Fallon (47 mins).

Referee: Joe McDermott (Grattans).