Longford SFC final: McElligott goal the difference as Mul' end long wait
October 17, 2016
St. Columba's, Mullinalaghta captain Shane Mulligan raises the Longford SFC trophy.
Pic via Longford Gaa on Facebook.
St. Columba's, Mullinalaghta 1-8
Abbeylara 0-8
An Aidan McElligott goal early in the second half proved decisive as Mullinalaghta came in from the cold to claim their first Longford SFC title since 1950 at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
With Robbie Smyth to the fore, Abbeylara took a 0-5 to 0-3 lead into the interval, but Columba's were ahead within a minute of the restart when McElligott raised the only green flag.
Abbeylara regained parity through a Nigel Rabbitt point in the 35th minute, but Mickey Graham's charges led by two entering the final 10 minutes.
A Smyth free reduced the deficit to the minimum, but the half parish weren't to be denied as three late frees from David McGivney ended their 66-year wait.
St. Columba's, Mullinalaghta - P Rogers; S Cadam, P Fox, J Mooney; C Brady, S Mulligan, D McElligott (0-1); R McElligott, A McElligott (1-0); J Keegan, J McGivney, D McGivney (0-5, 4f); J Matthews (0-2), G Rogers, R Brady. Sub: C McElligott for R McElligott.
Abbeylara - D O'Connor; B Smyth, F Battrim, C Brady; C P Smyth (0-1), M McHugh, C Smyth; J Kelly (0-1f), R Brady; N Rabbitt (0-1), W Crawford, J McEntire; R Smyth (0-5, 3f), C Berry, C E Smyth. Subs: B Smyth for J McEntire, E Gallagher for C E Smyth, P Berry for N Rabbitt, K Smyth for C P Smyth, A O'Connor for J Kelly.
Referee - P Maguire.
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