Longford SFC: Dromard in control against Rathcline to book semi-final spot

Dromard . . . 1-15   Rathcline . . . 0-9 

With their vastly experienced captain Francis McGee leading the charge in a slick attack, Sean Hagan’s side were leading by 0-10 to 0-5 at the break and were generally in control.

McGee fired over four points (one free) in the first half with Ronan McEntire and Matt Duffy also prominent in the scoring stakes, the latter landing a magnificent strike in stoppage time. 

Depending far too much on Oran Kenny, who ended up shooting a total of seven points (4 frees), Rathcline were guilty of kicking six wides in the first half and were fighting a losing battle.

Another cracking catch and point followed from Duffy immediately on the changeover and the killer blow was struck when a wayward Rathcline kick-out was intercepted by Aaron Farrell who kept his composure to finish the ball to the net for the decisive Dromard goal with just a couple of minutes gone in the second half. 

DROMARD: Sean McNerney; Dylan McCormack, Oisin O’Toole, Paul McGee; Fionn Hourican (0-1), Joseph Hagan (0-2, frees), Peter Reynolds; Diarmuid Masterson, Ronan McEntire (0-3, 1 mark); Matt Duffy (0-3), Aaron Farrell (1-1), Bernard Sheridan; Ronan Bleakley, Francis McGee (0-5, 1 free), Conor McGauran.

Subs:- Daniel Conboy for C McGauran (46 mins); Rory O’Toole for R Bleakley (48 mins); John Sheridan for D McCormack (53 mins); Jamsie Martin for P McGee (55 mins); Peadar Kiernan for M Duffy (58 mins). 

RATHCLINE: David Mulvihill; Jacub Kajan, Harvey Myhill, Kevin Sorohan; Shane Donohoe, Iarla O’Sullivan, Ultan O’Sullivan; Misco Kajan, Gareth Reilly; Kevin Tansey, Cronan Flood, Shane Kenny; Kian Gilmore (0-1), Bryn Peters, Oran Kenny (0-7, 4 frees).

Subs:- Oisin Kenny (0-1) for S Donohoe (injured, 30 mins); James Carroll for K Tansey (37 mins); Shane Casserly for M Kajan (37 mins); Niall Keane for Gareth Reilly (47 mins); James Hanley for B Peters (53 mins). 

Referee: Patrick Maguire (St Mary’s Granard).