A point by Padraig Davis in the final minute of normal time clinched a hard-earned victory for the titleholders, Fr Manning Gaels, as they pipped Abbeylara in a most exciting finish to the Longford SFC final, which attracted an attendance of 6,000 to Pearse Park.
Fr Manning Gaels: F Noonan; M Kane, G Brady, M Diffley; S Gallagher, F McNamee, Martin Mulleady; J Fitzpatrick, D Hannify (1-0, penalty); J Breslin, Colin Hannify (0-2), Michael Mulleady (0-2); J Tully, P Davis (0-6, 2 frees), D Gallagher (0- 1). Sub: Pat McWade for D Gallagher (46 mins).
Abbeylara: J J Reilly; D O'Reilly, D Ledwith, G Gilligan; E Murphy, J O'Brien, K Brady; P Lynch, T Drake (0-5, all frees); C Drake, E Ledwith, F Fitzgerald (10); D Sheridan (1-0), N Sheridan (0-2, 1 free), M O'Connor. Subs: A O'Connor for C Drake (46 mins), C Kenny for D Sheridan (58 mins)
Referee: P O'Toole (Forgley)
