The Longford Senior Football Final concluded without crowning a victor, due to a securing point from Robbie Smyth of Abbeylara, leading to a draw against Colmcille. Although Colmcille were two points ahead during the extra time at Pearse Park, Smyth’s performance forced a replay as both teams remained equal.
Initially, Abbeylara showed promising efforts with early opportunities, but both contenders exhibited some gameplay mistakes. The first score was introduced in the seventh minute when Caolan Lynch of Abbey struck. They almost secured a goal just a minute later, propelled by Cathal Gilligan’s pass to Padraig Berry, but unfortunately, the ball missed the target.
The 11th minute of the game saw Colmcille register their first score. A pass from Cathal McCabe was forcefully netted by Barry McKeon, who then added a superb point. Shortly after, Paul, Barry’s brother, also scored, increasing their advantage by four points in only 14 minutes.
Nevertheless, Abbeylara made a comeback in the 25th minute, thanks to a precise free-kick from Smyth, bridging the gap to just one point difference. Colmcille shifted the pendulum back in their favor with Jack Macken’s second point in the 27th minute.
Colmcille defended a 1-4 to 0-5 lead until half-time, notably due to full back Enda Macken’s remarkable block which prevented Connor Berry’s goal in the game’s concluding stages.
Abbeylara reciprocated fiercely after the break. With additional scores from Smyth and an equally impressive strike from Lynch, they managed to balance the score in the 35th minute. A free-kick from Smyth in the 42nd minute saw Abbeylara take the lead for the first time since the early minutes of the match.
With the game tying twice midway through the second half, thanks to Barry McKeon and Smyth’s respective free-kicks, the scales remained balanced, leading to a much-awaited rematch.
As the match was drawing to its climax, the two teams were evenly matched until the last five-minute mark. At the 57th minute, Colmcille’s goalkeeper, Noel Farrell, scored a stunning point, giving his side a marginal lead. A few moments later, Cathal Reilly scored another point, widening the gap to two as the game was heading into extra time.
Nevertheless, Smyth exemplified his expertise in the concluding two minutes, managing to even the scores.
ABBEYLARA’s team comprised G Kelly; M McHugh, PJ Masterson, R Brady; C Brady, B Masterson, C P Smyth; F Battrim, C Scanlon who scored 0-2, 2 free shots; R Reilly, C Berry, C Lynch who scored 0-3; R Smyth who scored 0-6, 6 free shots, C Gilligan who scored 0-1, and P Berry. The substitutes included N Rabbitt who replaced P Berry after 40 minutes, J Kelly who substituted for Reilly at 50th minute.
COLMCILLE’s lineup was; N Farrell who scored 0-1; G Mulligan, E Macken, C Grant; R Harkin, D Reilly, M Mulligan; V Hourican, F Sheridan; D McCabe, J Macken who scored 0-2, 1 free shot, C McCabe who scored 0-1; C Reilly who scored 0-1, P McKeon who scored 0-1, B McKeon who scored 1-3, 2 free shots. Substitutes included E Hawkins who replaced M Mulligan after 48 minutes, S McKeon for D McCabe at the 50th minute, S Farley played extra time. The game was officiated by Tony Gaffney from Mostrim.