League victory for footballers away to Kilkenny

21.03.10 | Longford 2-19 Kilkenny 1-2

The Longford senior footballers finally achieved their first win of the season when they hammered Kilkenny in a completely one-sided game at the Freshford grounds on Sunday last and the star of the show was Dromard sharpshooter Francis McGee who clocked up the impressive total of 2-10.

Played in fine weather conditions in front of a sparse attendance (mainly from Longford), Glenn Ryan's side converted a penalty in the opening minute awarded after a foul on full-forward Bernard McElvaney and man-of-the-match McGee made no mistake from the spot to give Longford the perfect start.

Their second goal also came from McGee in the 14th minute, leaving the scoreline at 2-3 to 0-2 for the visitors and the writing was already on the wall for the home side.

By the half-time break rampant Longford were firmly in control after building up a commanding 2-9 to 0-2 lead.

The visitors made some changes in personnel at the break and continued to dominate the game. They led by 2-13 to 0-2 at the three quarter stage when Kilkenny substitute Stephen Duggan struck for a consolation goal.

But that proved to be the last score of the game for the extremely poor Kilkenny outfit who are wasting their time competing in the National Football League with demoralising heavy defeats the constant trend and this farce of a fixture was nothing more than shooting practise for a Longford team who fired over six further points to win with ease.

Long term casualty Peter Foy made a welcome return to start the game at corner-back while also back in action after injury was Barry Gilleran, one of the substitutes used.

League leaders Clare are the visitors to Pearse Park in the next round of the league on Sunday next (throw-in 2.30pm) and a 'real' win for Longford would be a big boost for all concerned in the build up to the match that really matters against Louth in the opening round of the Leinster Championship at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise on May 23rd.

Scorers – Longford: Francis McGee (2-10, 1 goal from a penalty, 4 points from frees), Brian Kavanagh (0-4), Ronan McGoldrick (0-2), David Morgan (0-1), Ger Dennigan (0-1), Dermot Brady (0-1).

Scorers – Kilkenny: Stephen Duggan (1-0), Paddy Raftice (0-1, free), Michael Saunders (0-1).

LONGFORD: Damien Sheridan (Dromard); Dermot Brady (Longford Slashers), Diarmuid Masterson (Dromard), Peter Foy (Cashel); Shane Mulligan (Mullinalaghta), Enda Williams (Clonguish), Noel Farrell (Colmcille); Kevin Smyth (Abbeylara), Arthur O'Connor (Abbeylara); David Morgan (Mostrim), Francis McGee (Dromard), Ger Dennigan (Cashel); Declan Reilly (Colmcille), Bernard McElvaney (Ballymore), Brian Kavanagh (Kilmacud Crokes).

Subs:- Shane Cox (Legan Sarsfields) for P Foy; Barry Gilleran (Longford Slashers) for K Smyth; Ronan McGoldrick (Killoe) for D Reilly.

KILKENNY: JJ O'Sullivan; Michael Cody, Richard O'Hara, Thomas Kehoe; John Sheehan, Seoirse Kenny, Michael Malone; Michael Farrell, Sean Mahoney; Declan Grennan, Padraig Grace, Michael Saunders; Paddy Raftice, James Culleton, Emmet Vereker.

Subs:- John Brennan for P Grace; Ray Cody for J Sheehan; Stephen Duggan for D Grennan; Graham Lalor for E Vereker; Paddy Noctor for M Farrell.

Referee: Brian O'Shea (Dublin).