Sligo and Mayo footballers help AbbVie to All-Ireland

Abbvie (Sligo) won their first ever All-Ireland Inter-Firms title after defeating Boston Scientific (Cork) 1-11 to 1-6 in the All-Ireland Intermediate Football Final last Friday evening in Bishopstown.

The Abbvie team, made up primarily of Sligo and Mayo players as well as representatives from Roscommon and Leitrim, were beaten in last year’s decider by Limerick’s Regeneron but went one better on this occasion, adding the company’s junior title in 2017 and senior success in 1998 when it was known as Allergan Pharmaceuticals.

Making up for last year’s disappointment at the final hurdle, Abbvie, who were very impressive all season, were put to the pins of their collars by a well-organised Boston Scientific side.

Brian Reape scored 1-2 while the accurate Killian Kilkelly fired over eight points were the main marksmen for the Sligo side, with Parke's Sean Corcoran scoring their other point. Abbvie lead by a point at the end of a tight first half, 1-5 to 1-4 despite playing into the stiff breeze. An equally tight third quarter followed before Abbvie finally clicked on the scores to secure a five-point winning margin.

Boston Scientific started the brighter and opened up a two-point lead after 12 minutes but Reape with a fine goal at the end of a good move edged Abbvie in front on 15 minutes. Seven minutes later Boston were back in front when Brian Hartnett converted a penalty yet it was Abbvie who finished the half the stronger with three answered points including a brace from Brian Reape.

Scores were hard to come by in the third quarter. A fine solo effort from Killian Kilkelly edged Abbvie three clear at the end of a third quarter in which both sides enjoyed periods of procession without making the vital breakthrough.

Abbvie pulled clear in the final quarter with four points from Killian Kilkelly to claim a first All-Ireland title.

The AbbVie Sligo squad is as follows: Daniel Lyons (Shamrock Gaels), Stephen Corrigan (Louisburgh), Ian Barratt (Easkey), Ryan Carroll (Kiltimagh), Enda Roche (St John’s), Fiachra Henry (St Michaels), Aaron McLaughlin (Fenagh), David McGovern (St Mary’s), Tony Taylor (Eastern Harps), Oisin McLaughlin (Fenagh), Killian Kilkelly (Westport), Matthew Horan (Burrishoole), Sean Corcoran (Parke Keelogues Crimlin), Brian Reape (Moy Davitts), Shane O’Grady (Eastern Harps), Paul Groden (Kilmeena), Liam Reilly (Curry), Michael King (St Michaels), Declan McDermott (Kilbride), Paul Walsh (Castlebar Mitchels), Kevin Gallagher (Eastern Harps), Kenneth Keane (Burrishoole), Pat Kelly (Westport), Micheal Gillen (St Molaise), Darragh Kelly (St Molaise), Adrian McCann (Shamrock Gaels), Gerard Lynagh (Ballinrobe).

Manager: Glenn Young (St Marys). Selectors: Neil Chambers (Burrishoole) and Joe Campbell (Coolera Strandhill).