#abbeylara

Traces of Former Glory

As its name indicates, the County Longford village of Abbeylara (‘Mainistir Leathrátha’, meaning ‘Abbey of the half – or small – fort’) grew up around a religious house. In this instance, a monastery is supposed to have been founded here in the fifth century by St Patrick, who then appointed St Guasacht as its first abbot. Guasacht, who also acted as Bishop of the short-lived diocese of Granard,…

Longford Slashers 2-10 :  0-14 Northern Gaels 

Longford Slashers overcame Northern Gaels at the second time of asking to capture the 2013 Juvenile Championship at Pearse Park. Only two points separated the sides at the end in a very enjoyable game played in perfect conditions. The game was always in the balance but a late pointed effort from Daniel Kirby gave Slashers breathing space and the Abbey/Mullinaghta amalgamation could not find that elusive late goal as the Townies rearguard stood firm.

By Emmet Masterson in Pearse Park

The Gaels came flying straight out of the traps as Conor Berry scored straight from the throw-in, running powerfully through the centre of the Slashers defence before firing over. Slashers replied with a quick-fire brace through points from play by Cian Finnan (after a beautiful pass from Jamie Masterson) and a clipped effort from brilliant full-forward Robbie Clarke.

Northern Gaels scored the next 3 points of the contest through a Conor Berry free and points from play from Jason Matthews and Cian Brady. The trio of Berry, Matthews and Brady were excellent throughout and were the main threats for the North Longford side. Slashers, however, were a much more balanced attack. Despite losing Cian Kavanagh to injury before the game, they carried a threat all through their side.

After a flowing move in the 15th minute, the ball made its way to Daniel Kirby who crashed in a goal from an acute angle via the butt of the post. Kirby followed up that score with a great point and all of a sudden Slashers found themselves 2 points ahead. Cian Brady got one back for the Gaels but a Clarke double (play and free) plus a Cian Finnan free moved Slashers four ahead in the space of a few minutes. The two teams exchanged frees with Matthews (NG) and Finnan (LS) the players to register leaving a half-time score of Longford Slashers 1-07 Northern Gaels 0-06.

Again, Northern Gaels were quickest to settle as the 2nd half resumed. 4 points in the first five minutes had them level. 2 Matthews frees, a Conor Berry point on the run and the score of the game from Matthews from the left hand side doing the damage. Daniel Smith stemmed the flow after a telling pass from Clarke to restore the Slashers lead. Straight after this came a crucial moment of the match. After another powerful run through the Slashers defense, Conor Berry found himself through on goal. His powerful shot was parried bravely behind by Slasher’s stopper Paddy Grogan who injured himself off the post in the process.

Jason Matthews did get one back to level the game but then the game spun on its head again. Starved of possession for much of the second half, the Slashers forward line pounced when it mattered most. Daniel Kirby pointed to put Slashers one up again and after a high ball was fumbled in the square by Russell Brady, Daniel Smith pounced to strike home a great goal in what proved to be the clinching goal. Northern Gaels battled manfully scoring the next 3 points to put the narrowest of margins between the sides with 10 minutes to go but they failed to score again for the duration of the contest. Ultan O’ Hara came closest flashing a goal chance past Grogan’s right hand post but it was Slashers who had the last say in the contest with Kirby’s point securing the title for the Slashers boys.

  Teams

Longford Slashers

P. Grogan Jack McNiven, Ronan Sheehan, Kevin Maloney Ryan O’Keefe, Eoin Bartley (C), Hugo Carey Liam Barry, Nathan Steele Cian Finnan (0-04, 2 frees), Daniel Kirby (1-03) Jamie Masterson Daniel Smith (1-01) Robbie Clarke (0-03 2 frees) Robbie O’ Connell

Northern Gaels

A bit like democracy, motherhood and apple pie, everyone is in favour of the separation of powers. But how does it work in Ireland and what happens when there’s a conflict between the branches of state power? What should happen?

Though constitutional…