Rathcline made it two Longford SFC wins from two after a dominant eight-point victory over Abbeylara in Keenan Park.
Rathcline scoring an 18-points to 10 victory over the defending champions in Ardagh writes Aaron Kelly.
Shane Kenny gave Rathcline the lead before Abbeylara took the lead back for the first and only time through a Karl O’Hara two-pointer. Kenny given too much space to fire the ball over with the outside of the boot.
Oran Kenny brought Rathcline level before a pair of two-pointers from Shane Kenny and Bryn Peters restored Rathcline’s lead.
Robbie Smyth tapped over an easy Abbeylara free-kick before Frankie Dolan’s side were punished for having two up and Shane Kenny made no mistake. Floating over another two-pointer free off the ground.
Oran Kenny’s two-pointer put Rathcline into a seven-point lead. However, Abbeylara ended the half strongly with two points in a row from Karl O’Hara and Bryan Masterson.
At the beginning of the second-half Caolan Lynch fisted the ball into the back of the net, thinking he’d given Abbeylara a lifeline. Only for referee Fergal Kelly to rule it out for a square ball.
Rathcline heeded this warning and took full control of proceedings. Seadna Ryan, Shane and Oran Kenny were all on the scoresheet again before Jason Kelly’s free broke the scoring streak.
Cian Brady added another for Abbeylara before Shane Kenny got the next three scores for Rathcline, including a ridiculous sidewinder from the touchline.
Another from Oran Kenny completed the scoring as Rathcline saw out and eight-point victory.
Rathcline winning out 18 points to 10.
Elsewhere, in group B, Longford Slashers had a seven point win over Fr. Manning Gaels, 1-18 to 14 points. In group A, Dromard got the better of Granard. Whereas, on Thursday night, Killoe and Carrickedmond played out a draw in group A.
