Mullinalaghta St Columba's manager Mickey Graham admitted that he was a relieved man when the final whistle went in last Sunday's Longford SFC final.

Graham had just overseen his charges complete a two-in-a-row with both wins coming against parish rivals and neighbours Abbeylara.

The defending champions always looked in control apart from a brief spell in the second half when Abbeylara came back into the game, but Mullinalaghta, as they have done in so many of their games this year had enough to get across the line.

"Last year was special because it was the first time in 66 years to win the county title. The expectation this year was different because we were going in as favourites and people were expecting us to perform as favourites," Graham told the Longford Leader.

"It's a huge relief considering that at many stages during this championship campaign we looked dead and buried. Sometimes you will see your name on the cup and I think after those two close games (against Killoe and Clonguish) someone was looking down on us."

It was a special day for the Graham family as his native club were also returned to the top of the pile as Cavan Gaels won their first county title since 2014.

"It was a good day for the Graham household; I had two brothers and a cousin playing for my home club in the Cavan county final. The celebrations have been good. They have been a bit starved for a couple of years so it has been a good day all round for me."

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