Abbeylara clinched the Longford SFC title for the first time since 2006, defeating Colmcille on a scoreline of 2-10 to 1-07 (AET).

Robbie Smyth led the charge, scoring 1-04 and delivering a standout Man of the Match performance, despite being sent off near the end of extra-time due to a second yellow card. This victory came after Abbeylara’s heartbreak of losing four consecutive finals.

Despite challenging conditions, with heavy rain falling for much of regular time, both teams displayed commendable football. The initial stages were dominated by strong defenses, with Colmcille’s captain Barry McKeon scoring the game’s first points in the ninth minute, followed by another from a tight angle. A free from Jack Macken gave Colmcille a three-point lead by the 12th minute.

Abbeylara opened their scoring with a free from Smyth, followed by a point from Jason Kelly that narrowed the gap. As rain intensified, scoring chances remained scarce until Ruairi Harkin scored for Colmcille in the 27th minute, ending a 15-minute drought. Smyth responded with a sharp point for Abbeylara, though Colmcille held a two-point lead at halftime with a score of 0-05 to 0-03.

In the second half, Abbeylara leveled the score with points from Caolan Lynch and a free by Ciaran Scanlon. However, Colmcille briefly regained their lead with Macken’s second point in the 42nd minute, though Kelly quickly evened things up for Abbeylara. Colmcille then scored a goal as Fergal Sheridan found the net after an assist from substitute Eoin Hawkins.

Abbeylara’s response was immediate, with substitute Connor Berry assisting Smyth, who netted a powerful goal to level the score once more. Smyth later added a free to put Abbeylara in front, but a late point from Colmcille goalkeeper Noel Farrell forced the game into extra-time.

Abbeylara took control in extra-time, with points from Colm P Smyth and Robbie Smyth creating a two-point lead. Colm P Smyth extended the lead further, and substitute Reece Reilly’s late goal secured Abbeylara’s triumph.