Sharpshooter Brady puts Abbeylara to the sword in rout
MULLINALAGHTA/ST COLUMBA’S secured their third Longford senior football title in a row after they made light work of their neighbours Abbeylara at Pearse Park yesterday.
This one-sided affair was as good as over at half-time after the title-holders built up a seven-point cushion.
Despite getting off to a perfect start, Abbeylara’s CP Smyth blasting to the roof of Patrick Rogers’ net, they failed to capitalise and allowed the reigning champions to gradually take control.
Mullinalaghta had wind in their sails by the quarter-hour mark with a brace of converted frees from David McGivney and two well-taken points from Rian Brady putting them in the ascendancy.
Mikey Graham’s side continued to impress over the course of the first half with captain Shane Mulligan dominating the aerial battles.
Further points from towering midfield general John Keegan, JJ Matthews and Brendan Fox delighted their supporters.
Three minutes into stoppage time it looked like Abbeylara’s goose was already cooked when Mullinalaghta bagged their first goal of the afternoon.
County star Aidan McElligott instigated an excellent move when his pass to Matthews was flicked to the waiting Brady who placed his shot into the top corner, giving his side a seven-point lead at the interval.
After the break, Abbeylara registered their first point since the 10th minute when Robbie Smyth raised a white flag from long distance, but that was their last score of the game.
Meanwhile, Mullinalaghta continued to punish their close rivals and a second goal from the boot of Mulligan in the closing stages put the result beyond any doubt.