Abbeylara got the defence of their Longford senior championship off to a dramatic start with an 18-point win over Fr. Manning Gaels
Goals from Robbie Smyth, Russell Brady and Willie Crawford saw Abbeylara to a 3-19 to 10-point win in Pairc Ná nGael.
Abbeylara were athletic and showed an early season fitness which should impress manager Frankie Dolan. A fourth minute Robbie Smyth free opening their 2025 Longford championship account.
A Sean Fagan point and a Smyth two-pointer after an advantage had Dolan’s side four points clear after 10 minutes. Paddy Collum opening Fr. Manning Gaels account three minutes later with a two-pointer.
The lively Nigel Rabbitt restored the four-point lead a minute later. Whereas, a Martin Cassidy free on 19 minutes had the Drumlish side trail five points to three.
Indeed, the defending champions produced a 17-minute spell either side of half-time which sealed the game.
Barry McKiernan, Smyth and Cian Brady all tagged on points in a two minute spell. Abbey’s high press and quick movement resulted in Robbie Smyth sliding the ball in for a goal on 24 minutes.
Rabbitt the maestro and delivering a cool hand pass for Smyth to score. Smyth converted two further frees to send Abbey in 1-10 to three-points at half-time.
Martin Cassidy’s second free of the day two minutes after the restart gave false hope to the Drumlish side.
Abbeylara produce telling spell
The next move saw Russell Brady power his way through the Gaels defence and slot home Abbey’s second goal. Caolán Smyth followed-up with a point.
On 37-minutes the game was put beyond doubt after another impressive Abbeylara move saw substitute Willie Crawford shoot the ball across Paddy Collum and into the net for Abbey’s third goal of the day.
An instant impact as Crawford was only moments on the pitch. Frankie Dolan’s side leading 3-11 to 0-4 at this stage.
The Drumlish side found some scores and took advantage of Abbeylara not having three players in attacking half.
Two Martin Cassidy free’s either side of Mark Breslin's point and Reece Reilly’s point for Abbey, saw the scoreline 3-11 to 0-7 with 11 minutes to play.
The bite was lost in the game, but still the sides looked for scores. A Nigel Rabbit free and Fagan from play kept Abbeylara’s scoreboard ticking.
Whereas, a Martin Cassidy free and a Pauric Gill point made it 3-14 to 0-9 with five minutes remaining.
However, Abbeylara wrapped up the win with points from Rabbitt (0-2), Reilly, PJ Masterson and Sean Fagan. OIsin Kane popped over a a point for Gaels as Abbeylara won out 3-19 to 0-10
Scorers: Abbeylara: Robbie Smyuth 1-6 (1’2p 3f), Russell Brady, Willie Crawford 1-0 each, Nigel Rabbitt 0-4 (1f), Sean Fagan 0-3, Reece Reilly 0-2, Barry McKiernan, Cian Brady, Caolán Lynch, PJ Masterson 0-1 each.
Fr. Manning Gaels: Martin Cassidy 0-5 (5f), Paddy Collum 0-2 (1’2p), Mark Breslin, Pauric Gill, Oisin Kane 0-1 each
Other Results on Opening night
Elsewhere, Clonguish scored a big 14-point win over Longford Slashers to open their campaign. A Robbie Clarke penalty and a Ronan Sheahan goal in the first half-half wasn’t enough for Slashers who lost out 28-points to 2-8.
Whereas, in group A Colmcille scored a 1-13 to 11-point win over Carrickedmond.
