Dromard made it two wins from two with a big second-half score to beat Granard by five points.
However, it took a big second-half for this game to come to life. Bad decision making the story in a first-half, which saw Dromard lead five points to 1-1 at half-time. As Dromard registered a second win in this year's Longford SFC.
Eight minutes were on the clock before the scoreboard ticked over through a Jamie Brady Hynes free for Granard. The sides had kicked a wide each and Killian McGivney made a routine save from Bernard Sheridan.
Dromard were level on 11 minutes through William McEntire. However, Granard responded with a well worked goal from Jordan Martin.
A Diarmuid Masterson two-pointer and a Francis McGee free saw Dromard level on 19 minutes, 1-1 to four points.
Indeed, Dromard kicked a remarkable five wides before half-time. Their only score of the remainder of the half, in-fact the only other score of the half coming two before half-time from Ruairí O’Toole.
Dromard leading five points to 1-1 at half-time. Thankfully the second-half sprang into life.
Francis McGee converting a 32nd minute free which was cancelled out by James Kiernan moments later. However, Dromard took control of the game in a brilliant spell.
Aaron Farrell’s two-pointer and single points from Diarmuid Masterson, Fionn Hourican and Conor McGauran moved Dromard six points clear. 11-points to 1-2 on 37 minutes.
Ruairi Corcoran breaking the Dromard run with a good point on 38 minutes. However, Dromard staged an excellent counter attack.
Moving the ball the length of the pitch in a fast moving attack for Eoghan Palin to fist into the net at the back post.
Granard responded well to both the goal and their return shot sailing wide. Dromard keeper Ollie Duffy scuffed his restart, allowing Oisín O’Hara to pounce.
O’Hara worked the ball Jordan Martin who darted into the space and setup Ben Blessington to fist the ball to the net. Dromard leading 1-11 to 2-3.
Ronan Bleakley responded with a Dromard point, before Granard struck two points in a row through Blessington. Indeed Enda Macken’s Dromard weren’t looking rattled. An important Peter Reynolds two-pointer putting Dromard six points clear.
Darren Gallagher’s first score of the game made it a five-point difference with 14 minutes remaining. As the clock counted down to eight minutes, Jordan Martin moved Granard within four points.
However, Dromard had more to offer. Diarmuid Masterson converted a two-pointer free as Dromard ran the clock down in the style the new rules has cut out of the game.
Gallagher landed his second point of the game, but Bernard Sheridan wrapped up with win with a 56th minute point.
Jamie Brady Hynes landed the last score of the game, converting a free three minutes into injury time, but it was Dromard night, winning out 1-17 to 2-7.
Scorers: Dromard: Diarmuid Masterson 0-5 (1’2p, 1’2pf), Eoghan Palin 1-0, France McGee 0-2 (2f), Aaron Farrell 0-2 (1’2p), Peter Reynolds 0-2 (1’2p), William McEntire, Ruairí O’Toole, Fionn Hourican, Conor McGauran, Ronan Bleakley, Bernard Sheridan 0-1 each.
Granard: Ben Blessington 1-2, Jordan Martin 1-1, Jamie Brady Hynes 0-2 (2f), Darren Gallagher 0-2, James Kiernan, Ruairi Corcoran 0-1 each.
Elsewhere, in group B, Rathcline got the better of Abbeylara and Longford Slashers had a seven point win over Fr. Manning Gaels, 1-18 to 14 points. While on Thursday night, Killoe and Carrickedmond played out a draw in group A.
