Courtesy of Longford Leader

Rathcline won the Intermediate Football Championship title for the third time in their history when they withstood a determined comeback by Killashee St Brigid’s in a scrappy final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last.

Played in difficult wet conditions, Rathcline laid the foundations for their eventual triumph by scoring a couple of crucial goals and appeared to be cruising when they established a commanding 2-4 to 0-1 lead with 20 minutes gone in the first half.

With James Carroll (winner of the man-of-the-match award) and the commanding Shane Donoghue (who was immense throughout the game) leading the charge in the half-back-line and Derek Casserly making his presence felt at centrefield, the attack received a great supply of the ball with Liam Connerton, Shane Kenny and James Hanley inflicting the damage.

The Killashee defence were split wide open on a few occasions with Connerton setting up Hanley for the first goal in the 7th minute while Ronan Clyne and Derek Casserly were involved in the slick move that sent Connerton racing through for the next goal in the 20th minute.

Just after the James Hanley goal, which was the opening score in the game, Shane Kenny landed a brilliant long range point and then defender James Carroll was left unchallenged as he surged forward to fire the ball over the bar.

Kenny then converted a free before Killashee got their first score in the 14th minute, from a Willie Skelly free, but back came Rathcline with a point from Hanley who slotted over a close range free awarded for a foul on Connerton.

But right throughout the first half Killashee were pressing the self destruct button by kicking wides (eight in total), which included a poor finish by Mark Rossiter in squandering a decent chance of a badly needed goal in the 19th minute.

Rathcline launched an immediate counter-attack with Liam Connerton shooting to the back of the net but the newly crowned Intermediate champions (previous winners in 2005) remarkably failed to score for another 31 minutes as St Brigid’s gradually awoke from their slumber.

Their enthusiastic supporters among the attendance who braved a miserable wet day watched on with some hope as the gap was closed with three points in a row through substitute Enda McKiernan, James Willis and Michael Farrell (free).

But in between Rathcline had a glorious chance to put the issue beyond all doubt when Liam Connerton set up Shane Casserly for another goal chance but the latter miskicked right in front of the posts when looking certain to finish the ball to the net.

Trailing by 2-4 to 0-4 at the break, Killashee were guilty of some more poor finishing before Willie Skelly converted a brace of frees in the 40th and 43rd minutes and soon after substitute Tony Dooner was dismissed for a black card offence after a short time on the pitch.

St Brigid’s could have done without that setback and after Alan Milton (who replaced Dooner) has a shot blocked down, another second half replacement Killian Lee shot wide.

County minor Lee, only recently back in action after injury, certainly improved matters for Killashee who pulled another point back when the accurate Willie Skelly fired over a well struck free.

But the pressure was eased on Rathcline, who finally brought their scoring famine to an end when James Hanley landed a vital free in the 51st minute, and they now led by four points, 2-5 to 0-7.

St Brigid’s, to their great credit, battled it out to the bitter end and late scores from Willie Skelly (free) and Darren Carberry reduced the deficit to just two points to ensure an exciting finish.

But in the end it was the lack of scoring power that cost Killashee so dearly and their title dream was eventually dashed when Shane Kenny put Shane Casserly through for a third Rathcline goal in stoppage time.

Gareth Johnston’s side can now look forward to a clash away against the Wexford or Louth champions in the quarter-final of the Leinster Intermediate Club on November 1st.

The gallant losers St Brigid’s, on the other hand, have the nice consolation of a trip to Europe to take on Amsterdam in the preliminary round of the Leinster Junior Club Championship on Saturday October 10th.

Apart from capturing the Gerry Hennessy Cup, Rathcline make their return to the senior grade where they believe that their club rightly belong and will savour this success.

RATHCLINE: Anthony Mulligan; Cathal Greene, Michael Morrissey, Blain Fallon; James Carroll (0-1), Shane Donoghue, Kevin Chapman; Derek Casserly, Barry Clarke; Shane Casserly (1-0), Ronan Clyne, David Rooney; James Hanley (1-2, points from frees), Liam Connerton (1-0), Shane Kenny (0-2, one free).

Subs:- Michael Hanley for C Greene (half-time); Kevin Hanley for B Clarke (43 mins); Kevin Sorohan for B Fallon (black card, 57 mins); Patrick Mullooly for J Hanley (stoppage time).

Blood Sub:- Gareth O’Reilly for D Casserly (second half).

KILLASHEE ST BRIGID’S: Pat Farrell; Keelan Cox, Gerard Evans, Darren Cosgrove; Francis Dolan, Johnny Casey, Enda McPartland; Ogie Campbell, Emmet Skelly; Willie Skelly (0-5, all frees), James Willis (0-1), Mark Rossiter; Darren Carberry (0-1), Michael Farrell (0-1, free), Shane Cosgrove.

Subs:- Enda McKiernan(0-1) for M Rossiter (21 mins); Killian Lee for F Dolan (half-time); Tony Dooner for O Campbell (41 mins); Mel Shanley for J Willis (45 mins); Alan Milton for T Dooner (black card, 46 mins); David O’Neill for E McPartland (58 mins).

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

Longford Progress to Leinster U21 Football Semi-Final

Date: 29th June 2013

Venue: Pairc Ciaran, Newtowncashel

Final Score: Rathcline 4-08, Ballymahon 3-08

Reserve League 2 – Pride of our parish this week undoubtedly lies with our Reserve League team who were crowned Intermediate League Champions on Saturday evening in Cashel with a thrilling win over Ballymahon. This is the second year in a row where Joe Rooney has cast his midas touch in this competition and indeed it is worth noting that Rathcline have won this competition in three of the last four years under Joe’s stewardship. This year’s win was even more special as the team had titanic battles through the group stages as well the famous semi final replay win over St. Columbas. 

Although after five minutes in the final our winning run looked like it was coming to abrupt end when Ballymahon registered a 2:02 to no score lead. However, the Rathcline lads did not panic and star man Colly Fayne kicked started the rival with a famous hattrick of goals to put Rathcline in the ascendancy. A couple of positional changes in defence nullified the Ballymahon threat. Kevin Chapman and James Hanley landed a couple of well taken points. These scores were compounded with a well taken penalty by Kevin Hanley to give Rathcline a three point lead going into half time. The second half was a lot more cagey with both teams cancelling each other out in different sectors of the field. The introduction of Michael Morrisey into the defence and Mel Shanley up front helped steady the ship with Mel registering a well taken point. Colly and James added to their tallies with some vital free taking and Rathcline hung on for a fantastic three point win. There was no doubt it was Colin Fayne show in Cashel but it took the complete panel of players to get the team over the line.

Congratulations to all involved

Final Score: Rathline 4-08, Ballymahon 3-08

Team: Tony Mulligan, Cathal Greene, Danny O' Sullivan, Eamonn Farrell, Anthony Farrell, Michael Hanley, Stephen Farrell, Shane Casserely, Kevin Chapman, Fiachra Beirne, Kevin Hanley, David Rooney, James Hanley, Joey Rooney, Colin Fayne. Subs: Michael Morrisey, Mel Shanley, Conor McGrath, Sean Morrisey, Gareth O' Reilly, David Mulvihill, Jack Rooney.

Pictures available on the Club Photos section of the website as well as Club Facebook account.

Longford Leader Match Report

Date: Friday 17th May 2013 @ 8:00pm

Venue: Clonbonny

Final Score: Rathcline 2-07, Mostrim 2-12

Commiserations to our Senior football team who suffered their second defeat of the year to the hands of Mostrim in Clonbonny on Friday night last. The meeting brought together the return of ex manager Enda Macken as Mostrim manager and Mostrim native Gerry Lynn managing the Rathcline lads.  

Most people would agree that it was a case of Rathcline throwing away two points and not pushing on while we had the ascendency in the critical point of the match.

Rathcline opened up the scoring within the first minute with James Hanley registering the first of his tally for the day however this was nullified soon after by Mostrim. Rathcline bounced back to blitz the visitors for the next ten minutes with points from Mel Shanley, James Aaron Madden to race into a 4 points to 1 point lead. Disaster stuck on the 10^th min when Blain Fallon pulled down a runner in the box to concede a penalty which was then duly converted to leave the score 1-02 to 0-04 points in favour of Mostrim.

Further hardship was heaped on Rathcline with bad injuries to both Michael Hanley and Blain Fallon (Michael being stretchered off the field & Blain forced to retire in the second half).

On 15 mins, James Hanley converted a free to level the game but Mostrim were to have a their period of dominance before half time conceding points on the five points before the break. Before the half time whistle, James once again pointed to leave half time score Rathcline 0-06, Mostrim 1-06.

Mostrim opened the scoring in the 2nd half with a point after 4 minutes only to be followed 30 seconds later with Rathcline’s first goal of the evening scored by Aaron Madden.

This was followed 3 minutes later with a goal by James Hanley with great interplay by Kevin Hanley and Shane Casserely. This left the scoreline reading Rathcline 2- 06 to Mostrim 1-07. At this stage of the game Rathcline were now in complete control winning every sector of the contest.  James Hanley was awarded a penalty in the 40^th min which was ultimately the game breaking moment however unfortunately this was a poor penalty kick which Mostrim duly cleared.

A further point on the 42^nd min was little consolation for James after missing the penalty kick. Mostrim regrouped and weathered the storm with Rathcline conceding a point on the 44^th min. This was followed by the turning point of the game with the concession of a sloppy goal on the 51^st min of the game which completely handed the control of the game to Mostrim. Rathcline were not without their goal chances in the latter end of the second half with Conor Casey, James Hanley and Shane Casserely coming close Further Mostrim points on the 55^th, 59^th and 61^st minutes closed out the game on a final score of: Rathcline 2-07, Mostrim 2-12.

Best for Rathcline included our goal keeper David Rooney who pulled off some magnificent saves and was unlucky not to save the penalty in the first half. Defence was well marshalled by Cathal Greene, Blain & Ryan Fallon and Stephen Farrell. Derek Casserely played his best match at midfield all year and was the main catalyst behind Rathcline’s revival in the second half. Up front, Kevin Hanley worked tirelessly at centre forward breaking up Mostrim play, Mel Shanley provided good support to the inside forward line of James, Shane and Aaron.

Team: David Rooney, Cathal Greene, Blain Fallon, Stephen Farrell, Michael Hanley, Shane Donoghue, Eamon Farrell, Derek Casserely, Ryan Fallon, Colin Fayne, Kevin Hanley, Mel Shanley, James Hanley, Shane Casserely, Aaron Madden Subs Used: Paddy Mullooly, James Carroll, Conor Casey, Sean Morrisey.

The result puts Rathcline in mid table with a game in hand. There is now a two week break before Round 4 of the League. Rathcline play away to Fr. Manning Gaels on Friday 31^st May in Monaduff at 8pm. This is followed by a quick turnaround time to play Dromard on the following Bank holiday Monday on 3rd June at 2:30pm.   

Photographs of the match can be seen on the Club Photos section of this website or on Facebook.

Date: Saturday 27th April 2013 @ 6:00pm

Venue: Clonbonny

Final Score: Rathcline 2-12, Moydow Harpers 2-14

Commiserations to our Reserve League 2 Squad who suffered their first defeat of the year to the hands of Moydow Harpers. The defeat leaves Rathcline in second position in the league table with one group game left vs. Ballymahon. This game is scheduled to take place on Saturday 18th May in Leo Casey Pk at 7pm. 

Rathcline were generally poor across the pitch with the team relying on individual performances to keep them out of trouble for this game. James Hanley was excellent in the full forward line with Stephen Farrell controlling the half forward line. In the middle, Shane Casserely caught brilliant ball and got his name on the score sheet with quick thinking to snatch a goal in the second half. Our half backline was steady enough with good performance from Seanie Morrisey. Danny Sullivan was very commanding at full back.

All round, it was a game where our bigger players didn't turn up and much improved performances are needed if the team have any aspirations of retaining the Reserve League 2 title.