Mullinalaghta made it two wins from two with a one point victory over Abbeylara in the Longford SFC.
In a close game, Mullinalaghta led by four points in injury time. A late Abbeylara goal was not enough to share the spoils.
Six minutes were on the clock when the game’s first score arrived and it arrived via a Mullinalaghta goal. Donal McElligott fisting the ball into the net after Shane Mulligan’s hard work.
There were 13 minutes on the clock before Abbeylara ticked the scoreboard over. A Robbie Smyth free opening their scoring.
Reece Reilly made it a one point game moments later. While Mullinalaghta had the majority of the ball in the opening quarter, Abbeylara's rigid defence gave nothing away.
The game was all square on 17 minutes. Mullinalaghta keeper Patrick Rogers needing to push Ciaran Scanlon’s shot over the bar.
The equaliser fired last year’s runner-up into action. Gary Rogers and Aidan McElligott both sending over points, within 60 seconds of each other.
Abbeylara responded well. Robbie Smyth with his second free of the evening and Cian Brady from play, making us all square on 23 minutes.
Aidan McElligott sent over a 28th minute free, having ended up with a yellow card for dissent. Emmet Brady moved Mullinalaghta two points clear on 30 minutes.
Caolan Lynch pulled a point back three minutes into injury time as Mullinalaghta led 1-4 to 0-6 at half-time.
In a slow tight contest it was five minutes before a second-half score was registered. Mullinalaghta’s David McGivney converting a free. Aidan McElligott grabbing his second scores moments later.
Another Robbie Smyth free and a Cathal Gilligan point had one between the teams on 39 minutes.
Fergal Battrim's excellent 43rd minute point had the game all square. Mullinalaghta responded immediately. Gary Rogers and David McGivney scoring from play.
All set for big finish
Emmet Brady’s 52nd second minute free had Mullinalaghta leading 1-10 to 0-9. Two minutes later, Cian Brady blasted a shot goal bound, but Mullinalaghta had enough players back to block the effort.
Jason Kelly made it a three point game with three minutes remaining. While Emmet Brady’s missed a bad free on the hour mark.
David McGivney seemed to put it beyond doubt, three minutes into injury time as Mullinalaghta led 1-11 to 0-10.
However, Abbeylara never gave in. Their efforts for a goal were finally rewarded when Caolan Lynch’s shot somehow found its way in.
It wasn’t enough however as time ran out and Mullinalaghta won out 1-11 to 1-10. The win moves Mullinalaghta top of group two.
Elsewhere, defending Longford champions, Colmcille came from behind to register their first win of the championship beating Carrickedmond 2-11 to 3-5.
Scorers: Abbeylara: Robbie Smyth 0-3 (3f), Caolan Lynch 1-1, Reece Reilly, Cian Brady, Cathal Gilligan, Fergal Battrim, Jason Kelly, Own point 0-1 each.
Mullinalaghta: Donal McElligott 1-0, Aidan McElligott 0-3 (1f), David McGivney 0-3 (2f), Emmet Brady 0-2 (1f), Gary Rogers 0-2.
Two matches take place on Sunday in the Longford SFC. Read how Dromard and Granard drew on Friday night.
