Reigning Longford champions Killoe proudced a dominant second-half performance make it two wins from two in this year’s championship.
Despite the difficult playing conditions Killoe opened their account after just 28 seconds. Conor Mulligan raised a white flag.
Rathcline powered back making full use of a strong breeze at their back with three unanswered scores.
Oran Kenny kicked his first point after two minutes, before raising the first orange flag with a well taken two-pointer after three minutes.
Bryn Peters got their third in a dominant spell with a well taken point on five minutes.
Killoe got the next score when midfielder Enda Quinn was on target for his first point of the game on nine minutes.
Despite the conditions Killoe continued to manufacture scoring opportunities, Ronan McGoldrick kicking two points and Ronan Keogh finding his range; leaving Killoe one point in front after 24 minutes. Killoe led five points to four.
However, Rathcline landed their second two-pointer of the half when Bryn Peters curled over after 28 minutes. Indeed, Danny Minmagh got the final score of the half for Killoe as the sides headed to break level.
At the break the sides were level, six-points each.
Rathcline opened the scoring in the second-half with Bryn Peters finding the target again. Rathcline retook the lead for what would be the final time in the game.
Killoe hit the next four scores with their entire half-forward line of Danny Minmagh, Ronan McGoldrick and Cian Farrelly all on target. Midfielder Ronan Keogh rounded off a dominant seven-minute spell with a point of his own.
Killoe charge back late on
Shane Kenny kicked a wonderful two-pointer into the face of a strong breeze, reducing the deficit to one after 46 minutes. 0-10 to 0-9.
Killoe dominated the final 10 minutes, outscoring Rathcline by seven points to two.
Enda Quinn and Davin Donnelly were both on target. James Moran making the trip from his half back line to land a huge two-pointer, leaving Killoe five points to the good with seven minutes remaining.
Donnelly kicked another point from play before Killoe substitute Paddy Kiernan kicked arguably the score of the evening. Splitting the posts from 55 metres with a wonderful effort of the outside of his right boot.
Shane Kenny curled over another two-pointer with the last kick of the game. However, it proved to be little more than consolation as Killoe made it two wins from two. Killoe running out six-point winners in Ballymahon, 0-17 to 0-11.
