Robbie Smyth the Abbeylara saviour as Colmcille let victory slip in a dramatic draw
On the brink of claiming the Senior Football Championship title for the second time in the space of three years, Colmcille let victory slip from their grasp with Robbie Smyth the Abbeylara savior in landing a couple of pressure points in a frantic finish at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday.
A terrific long range strike from the roving goalkeeper Noel Farrell in the 57th minute put Colmcille ahead and when the industrious Cathal Reilly was then on target from a tight angle, the Connolly Cup looked destined to be on the way back to Aughnacliffe.
Right throughout this so unpredictable championship campaign, Abbeylara have shown a fierce desire to end a long barren spell under the driving force of the former Roscommon star Frankie Dolan and they somehow managed to survive in snatching a dramatic draw from the jaws of defeat.
A free for a foul on Russell Brady was converted by joint captain Smyth in the first minute of stoppage time and while Colmcille won the kick-out, the ball was lost and this mistake was punished by the cool and composed Robbie who smacked the ball over the bar for a last gasp equaliser.
Colmcille will be furious not to have emerged victorious when it appeared to be all over and thanks to a goal from their captain Barry McKeon with 11 minutes gone in the game, Ger Carberry’s side ended up leading by 1-4 to 0-5 at the break.
The ding-dong battle continued in the second half and Abbeylara deserve a lot of credit for refusing to accept defeat as was the case in the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 SFC finals.
And so the sides have to do it all again on Sunday next (October 20th), throw-in 4pm, with the Intermediate Championship decider between Fr Manning Gaels and Sean Connolly’s (1.45pm) also part of the attractive double bill.
ABBEYLARA: Gavin Kelly; Michael McHugh, PJ Masterson, Russell Brady; Cian Brady, Bryan Masterson, Colm P Smyth; Fergal Battrim, Ciaran Scanlon (0-2, frees); Caolan Lynch (0-3), Robbie Smyth (0-7, 6 frees), Reece Reilly; Cathal Gilligan, Conor Berry, Padraig Berry.
Subs:- Nigel Rabbitt for P Berry (40 mins); Jason Kelly for R Reilly (51 mins); Colin Gilna for C Berry (59 mins).
COLMCILLE: Noel Farrell (0-1); Gerard Mulligan, Enda Macken, Conor Grant; Ruairi Harkin, Declan Reilly, Dylan McCabe; Vinny Hourican, Fergal Sheridan; Martin Mulligan, Jack Macken (0-2, 1 free), Cathal McCabe (0-1); Cathal Reilly (0-1), Paul McKeon (0-1), Barry (1-3, 2 frees).
Subs:- Eoin Hawkins for M Mulligan (47 mins); Shaun McKeon for D McCabe (58 mins); Shea Farley for B McKeon (stoppage time).
Referee: Tony Gaffney (Mostrim).
Credit: Longford Leader
Photos of the game can be viewed here.
