Longford SFC: Carrickedmond crash out as Rathcline through to the quarter-finals

Rathcline . . . 3-13    Carrickedmond . . . 1-7

Carrick crash out and also eliminated from the Connolly Cup with the final round of the league stage fixtures remaining are Abbeylara who lost to the title holders Colmcille (2-14 to 2-6) at the Dromard grounds on Sunday evening. 

From the moment Rathcline attacker Oran Kenny planted the ball in the back of the net in the opening minute of the second half, the writing was on the wall for Carrickedmond who made a tame exit from the championship.

The outstanding Oran tormented the Carrick defence throughout the second half in adding another eight points to his tally and this was a polished overall performance from the slick Lanesboro outfit who stepped up another couple of gears on the changeover to run out easy winners.   

Carrickedmond made very poor use of the wind advantage in the first half and were left to rue the shooting of five wides while at least three other scoring attempts dropped short into the hands of the towering Rathcline keeper David Mulvihill. 

A decisive factor was the crucial first goal for Enda Lyons’ side with Cronan Flood finishing the ball to the net with 20 minutes gone on the clock and Carrick ended up trailing by 1-2 to 0-4 at the break after failing to build on a bright start.

RATHCLINE: David Mulvihill; Jacub Kajan, Harvey Myhill, Niall Keane; Iarla O’Sullivan (0-1), Shane Carroll, Ultan O’Sullivan; Misco Kajan, Gareth Reilly (0-1); Daire Cox, Cronan Flood (2-0), Kian Gilmore; Oisin Kenny, Bryn Peters (0-1), Oran Kenny (1-9, 4 frees).

Subs:- Shane Kenny for D Cox (36 mins); Shane Casserly for M Kajan (46 mins); Kevin Tansey (0-1) for B Peters (49 mins); Kevin Sorohan for J Kajan (52 mins); Shane Casey for Oisin Kenny (58 mins). 

CARRICKEDMOND: Garret Higgins; Niall O’Farrell, Diarmuid Kelly, Conor Mulvey; Kyle Kenny, Barry O’Farrell, Shaun McGrath; Enda Farrell, Liam Glennon; Brian Mulvey (0-1, free), Aidan McGuire (0-2), Paddy Farrell; John McCormack (0-1, free), Sean Kelly, Ross Doherty (1-2). 

Subs:- Conor Kelly for J McCormack (42 mins); Fionn Morgan for C Mulvey (44 mins); Pauric Dempsey for N O’Farrell (45 mins); Eoghan McCormack (0-1, free) for P Farrell (52 mins); Jack Dempsey for S Kelly (52 mins).

Referee: Donal Kane (Young Grattans). 

Granard, Dromard, Killoe, Colmcille, Mullinalaghta and Rathcline have qualified from the group stage and will be joined in the quarter-finals by Clonguish, Mostrim or Longford Slashers