Rathcline shocked Mullinalaghta with a two-point win in their Longford SFC opener.
An entertaining championship encounter saw Rathcline defeat Mullinalaghta in this evening’s meeting in Michael Fay Park writes Matthew Towey.
Inside the opening nine minutes Rathcline had a four-point advantage all coming from frees through Shane and Oran Kenny. Both were both ever-present as the evenings action prevailed.
Mullinalaghta opened their own account in similar fashion when Jayson Matthews converted a free. The corner forward was presented a similar opportunity minutes later following a Rathcline three-player-breach; tapping over the free.
Oran Kenny and James McGivney traded scores for either side before Oisin Kenny created an opening and found the back of the Mullinalaghta net. The goal extending Rathclines lead to six, 1-6 to 0-3.
Mullinalaghta were dealt a blow on 23 minutes; full-forward Conor McElligot suffered a knee injury. His side rallied immediately in his absence with midfielder David McGivney getting the opening two pointer of the contest.
Both sides traded scores on as the game approached half-time, Rathcline leading by four at the break 1-7 to 0-6.
Jayson Matthews opened the scoring inside a minute of the second-half with a free. Six minutes later Connor Leonard and Paddy Fox registered consecutive scores as Rathcline’s saw their lead reduced to just one point.
Rathcline responded through Oran Kenny and Seadna Ryan as they looked to regain control of the game.
Mullinalaghta rally not enough
Moments later David Mulvihill in the Rathcline goal pulled of a decent save following a well worked Mullinalaghta opening from a quick free.
Oran Kenny registered his eighth and final point of the game with 55 minutes played as Rathcline lead was extended to four. David Mulvihill in the Rathcline goal made another excellent save soon after.
David McGivney raised the orange flag with his second two pointer of the game. Indeed, Mullinalaghta attempted to work an opening for another two pointer to rescue a draw.
However it was to be Rathcline’s night, winning out by four points, 1-11 to 0-12 to open their Longford SFC campaign.
Elsewhere in Group A Dromard had a big 2-21 to 10-point win over Mostrim. While on Friday night, Colmcille scored a 1-13 to 11-point win over Carrickedmond.
