Longford SFC Final: Abbeylara 1-9, Longford Slashers 0-10 Abbeylara were crowned kings of Longford for a second time - the first was in 2000 - when they got the better of Slashers in front of 4,000 fans at Pearse Park yesterday, thanks to the crucial goal scored after just 10 seconds by man-of-the-match Niall Sheridan.

Two terrific saves by goalkeeper Gordon Hourican late in the first half denied Sheridan and Padraig Berry a second goal for Abbeylara, but Abbeylara also had an escape when a last-ditch block denied Eamon Nolan a goal before half-time.

Slashers had the wind behind them in the second half but continued to kick wides and when the tireless Brian Smyth pointed on 45 minutes, Abbeylara led 1-9 to 0-5 and looked to be coasting.

Yet they failed to score again while Slashers posted five more points. It was too little too late.

ABBEYLARA: D O'Connor; P Brady, D Ledwith, D O'Reilly; C Drake, J McEntire, Michael O'Connor; E Ledwith, A O'Connor; B Smyth (0-1), Maurice O'Connor (0-2), B Meaney; W Crawford, N Sheridan (1-4, four frees), P Berry (0-2). Subs: J Kiernan for Meaney (48 mins), T Drake for Crawford (51 mins).

LONGFORD SLASHERS: G Hourican; D Mannion, M Brady, T O'Rourke; D Brady, D Glennon, B Farrell; D Sheridan, S Campbell; N Mulligan (0-1, free), B Gilleran, T Clendenning (0-2); J Clendenning, E Nolan (0-2), P Kelly. Subs: G Matthews for Campbell (27 mins), M Smith (0-5, four frees) for J Clendenning (34 mins).

Referee: J Bannon (Legan).