Crucial late goal gives Abbeylara the edge over Colmcille

16.07.10 | SFC Group 2 Round 1 | Abeylara 1-8 Colmcille 0-7                   

By Padraic O'Brien

A late goal from Maurice O'Connor proved to be the crucial matchwinning score as Abbeylara got the better of Colmcille in the opening game in the 2010 Senior Football Championship at the picturesque Maguire Park in Ballinalee on Friday evening last.

A good crowd gathered at the excellent Sean Connolly's ground to watch this keenly contested Group 2 encounter and while Colmcille played poorly in the first half and ended up trailing by 0-4 to 0-1 at the break the 2008 county champions improved considerably on the changeover.

Team manager Mickey Harkin brought on Enda Farrell and Longford minor Barry McKeon at the start of the second half and Colmcille proceeded to enjoy their best spell of the game which yielded five points without reply in the space of nine minutes.

Quick scores from Noel Farrell (free), Declan C Reilly and Declan Farrell (the latter landing a fine strike from near the sideline) left the sides all square and young McKeon put Colmcille ahead when shooting over the bar in the 37th minute.

Moments later there was a very lucky escape for Abbeylara when a well worked move involving Declan Farrell, John Paul Reilly and Anthony Gormley sent Noel Farrell racing through for a glorious goal chance but he got no real power behind the ball and his point-blank shot was saved by opposing keeper John Joe Reilly.

That proved to be a very costly miss for Colmcille and while Noel Farrell converted a free in the 39th minute to leave his side 0-6 to 0-4 in front, Abbeylara gradually awoke from their slumber to level matters with a brace of points from Niall Sheridan frees, the first in the 44th minute following a foul on wing back Colm P Smyth.

Colmcille went on to regain the lead with a real quality point from Barry McKeon who weaved his way through to get his shot on target in the 49th minute but his side suffered a severe setback in the 53rd minute when the opportunist Maurice O'Connor blasted the ball to the net from a few yards out after Niall Sheridan got a vital touch to a high centre from Arthur O'Connor.

That was a bad blow for Colmcille who failed to clear the danger and while they launched an immediate counter attack Declan Farrell shot badly wide when a goal chance was on. Another chance was squandered by Noel Farrell and Abbeylara increased their advantage with an excellent Maurice O'Connor point from a very tight angle in the 58th minute.

With time running out Colmcille forward John Paul Reilly had a goal attempt blocked down and the danger was cleared before Niall Sheridan fired over another free in stoppage time to make victory safe.

However, the Abbeylara team manager, Meath native Tom Keague, will not have been pleased with the poor finishing during the course of the game – a total of twelve wides, seven of which were registered in the second half.

It might well have been a different story had the post not denied Declan C Reilly a goal for Colmcille with less than a minute gone in this championship clash and while a point quickly followed from Noel Farrell who converted a free in the 2nd minute, they failed to register another score in the first half.

Abbeylara got on top at centrefield with the prominent pairing of Enda Ledwith and Arthur O'Connor in control but despite enjoying a lot of possession all they could manage was four points, the first of which came from a Niall Sheridan free in the 9th minute.

Michael O'Connor then landed the ball over the bar in the 16th minute and soon after James McEntire kicked an excellent point. With just a couple of minutes left in the first half Abbey defender Shane Mahon joined the attack to get his name on the scoresheet and while Colmcille came storming back in a better second half display their hopes of making a winning start were dashed by the decisive Maurice O'Connor goal.

ABBEYLARA: John Joe Reilly; Liam Reilly, Donal Ledwith, Ciaran Drake; Colm P Smith, Shane Mahon (0-1), Fergal Battrim; Arthur O'Connor, Enda Ledwith; Brian Smyth, Michael O'Connor (0-1), James McEntire (0-1); William Crawford, Niall Sheridan (0-4, all frees), Maurice O'Connor (1-1).

Sub:- Colm E Smyth for Michael O'Connor (39 mins).

COLMCILLE: Mark Kiernan; Padraig Murtagh, Mattie Kavanagh, Ollie McGivney; Gary Murtagh, Francis Kavanagh, Joseph Kelleher; Kevin Farrell, Noel Farrell (0-3, all frees); John Paul Reilly, Declan Farrell (0-1), Anthony Gormley; Declan C Reilly (0-1), Paul Murtagh, Ciaran Brady.

Subs:- Enda Farrell for K Farrell (half-time); Barry McKeon (0-2) for Paul Murtagh (half-time).

Referee: John Bannon (Legan Sarsfields).

Brian Farrell points the way for Mostrim's most emphatic win over Ballymahon

17.07.10 | SFC Group 3 Round 1 | Mostrim 1-17 Ballymahon 2-5             

By Liam Cosgrove

Mostrim got their Connolly Cup campaign off to a flying start at Killoe's Emmet Park last Saturday evening when beating a below par Ballymahon side, a result which has thrown Group 3 of the Senior Football Championship wide open even at this early stage.

And the reason for the surprise outcome came largely due to the sharpshooting exploits of Mostrim forward Brian Farrell, whose personal haul of ten points paved the way for a most emphatic win.

Ballymahon made much of the early running with points from Kyle Fitzmaurice and a Colm Flynn free edging them ahead after six minutes of play.

Mostrim's slow start was perhaps best summed up by two miscued efforts from man-of-the-match Farrell in the space of as many minutes as anxious looking supporters watched on.

In fact it wasn't until the 12th minute that Mostrim sprung to life, courtesy of a splendid score from Michael Kenny.

That seemed to galvanise those wearing red and green and for the remainder of the first half it was all Mostrim. Farrell, moments later, notched his first score via a free which was swiftly followed by a delightful Alan O'Hara point to leave Mostrim 0-3 to 0-2 ahead.

Mostrim's tendency to look for Farrell at almost every opportunity was starting to pay dividends. Two further scores from the willing number 13 soon opened up a three point cushion. And despite a solitary riposte from Colm Flynn, Ballymahon simply had no answer to Mostrim's free flowing and incisive passing game.

Seven minutes before the break, Mostrim went one better as centre-half-back Seamus Hannon rifled the ball to the back of the net following a slick pass from Matthew Kelly.

TJ McArdle was introduced for Trevor Smullen in a bid to pep up the Ballymahon attack, but it was to no avail as further points from David Morgan and another Brian Farrell free meant Mostrim went into the half-time break with a healthy 1-7 to 0-3 cushion.

Ballymahon were In dire need of a swift response but instead it was Mostrim who continued where they had left off in the first half and scores from David Morgan (2), Farrell and Kelly all but ended any faint hopes Ballymahon may have had in staging an unlikely comeback.

Colm Flynn, who was arguably one of Ballymahon's brighter performers on a day to forget for the south Longford side, attempted to add a touch of respectability to the scoreline with two further points in the 39th and 41st minutes respectively.

But Mostrim and Brian Farrell in particular were not to be denied and a sublime free from the free running corner-forward ensured there would be no mercy given to last year's senior championship semi-finalists.

By this stage, the game started to take the form of a one sided exhibition match with Farrell leading the charge. A thumping 45 yard effort from the touchline ten minutes from time was undoubtedly the pick of his scores as Ballymahon began to accept their fate.

Mostrim were fifteen points ahead (1-17 to 0-5) with barely three minutes left on referee Pauric McGee's watch such was the evident gulf in class between the two sides.

To their credit, Ballymahon continued to plug away and ask questions of the Mostrim defence.

And deep into stoppage time they got their reward not once but twice. First, substitute Edwin Nally muscled his way past a couple of flimsy looking challenges to fire the ball past Mostrim keeper Ciaran Garvey with the help of a left hand post.

Then seconds later, Nally turned provider, this time squaring the ball for Andy Mullen to prod his effort underneath the despairing dive of Garvey for a second consolation goal.

MOSTRIM: Ciaran Garvey; Martin Coyle, Michael Victory, Aaron Gallagher; Paddy Smith, Seamus Hannon (1-0), Benny Dempsey; Michael Kenny (0-1), Fintan Coyle; Gerard Smith (0-1), Matthew Kelly (0-1, free), Thomas Gallagher; Brian Farrell (0-10, five frees), Alan O'Hara (0-1), David Morgan (0-3).

Subs:- Joe Dempsey for T Gallagher (44 mins); Michael Hussey for A O'Hara (50 mins).

BALLYMAHON: Fergal Kelly; James Kenny, Ken Lovell, Ken Cooney; Diarmuid Fallon, Kevin Diffley, Justin Nally; Mark Lennon, Cian Cooney; Trevor Smullen, Thomas Lowry, Andy Mullen (1-0); Kyle Fitzmaurice (0-1), Colm Flynn (0-4, one free), Thomas Lennon.

Subs:- T.J. McArdle for T Smullen (23 mins); Alan Hudson for D Fallon (30 mins); Feidhlim McGivney for C Cooney (44 mins); Edwin Nally (1-0) for K Fitzmaurice (48 mins).

Referee: Pauric McGee (Fr. Manning Gaels).

Close call for Clonguish as Ardagh almost spring a shock

17.07.10 | SFC Group 3 Round 1 | Clonguish 1-13 St. Patrick’s 2-8          

By Padraic O'Brien

It was a close call for Clonguish in the opening round of the Senior Football Championship as Ardagh staged a determined second half comeback and almost sprang a shock in the Group 1 fixture at Emmet Park on Saturday evening last.

Minus the services of Paul Barden who was rested because of recurring injury problems, the county champions appeared to be cruising to their expected victory when holding a commanding 0-9 to 0-3 lead at the break but St. Patrick's showed a lot of character in battling their way back into contention.

A great start to the second half yielded a point and a goal from David Farrell but Clonguish regained their grip on the game when David Faughnan found the back of the net at the second attempt after his initial effort hit the post in the 37th minute.

But the underdogs Ardagh never gave up the fight and closed the gap with a couple of well struck points through Paddy Keenan and Seamus Shortt, the latter switched from midfield to full-forward after sustaining a knock. St. Patrick's have been badly hit by injuries this season and they suffered yet another setback when Paddy Ganley was forced to retire with nine minutes gone on the changeover.

When Paddy Dowd shot over the bar in the 44th minute, Clonguish led by 1-10 to 1-6 and appeared to be in control but soon after Ardagh were thrown a lifeline when Val Bohan provided the perfect pass in creating the opportunity for Philip Gillen to fire home a well-taken goal.

Moments later, Paddy Keenan converted a free in front of the posts to leave the sides all square and while a Colin Clarke free in the 50th minute put Clonguish back in front, Philip Gillen landed the equalising point for St. Patrick's in the 56th minute and they looked like getting a result against all the odds.

However, Clonguish called on all their vast experience in refusing to panic and after Paddy Dowd struck the crossbar with a cracking shot that yielded the lead point in the 57th minute, the boys in green clinched a hard earned victory when Joe O'Brien shot over the bar in the second minute of stoppage time.

The Connolly Cup holders have obviously plenty of room for improvement but a winning start to the current campaign was all that mattered and particularly prominent in the first half was Ciaran Williams who posed a lot of problems for the St. Patrick's defence.

Corner-forward Williams fired over three points from play while also prominent in the scoring stakes was Colin Clarke who clocked up 0-4, two from frees. Wing back Brendan Devine surged forward to register an excellent point in the early stages of the game while also on target was full-forward Paddy Dowd.

Paddy Ganley opened the scoring for Ardagh when converting a free in the first minute and the former Kenagh player kicked over a well struck point from play in the 13th minute to leave just the minimum of margins separating the sides, 0-4 to 0-3.

Danny Keenan (free) got the other score for St. Patrick's but Clonguish stepped up another gear in the second quarter to fire over five points without reply and it looked all over as a contest.

But Ardagh proceeded to make it extremely difficult for Clonguish in a most interesting second half and this gallant display will give them renewed hope for their remaining Group 1 fixtures against Mullinalaghta and Killoe.

CLONGUISH: Mikie McGuinness; Anthony Corcoran, Brendan Burke, Anthony Watters; Brendan Devine (0-1), Enda Williams, Padraig Cooney; David Barden, David Faughnan (1-0); Kevin Burke, Joe O'Brien (0-1), Colin Clarke (0-5, three frees); Shane O'Brien, Paddy Dowd (0-3), Ciaran Williams (0-3).

Subs:- Darren Quinn for S O'Brien (39 mins); Stephen Norton for A Watters (58 mins).

ARDAGH: Michael Lenehan; Dessie Murphy, Enda Gillen, Paul Ivel; Derek Farrell, Gerard Farrell, Ciaran Kelly; Seamus Shortt (0-1), David Farrell (1-1); Val Bohan, Paddy Keenan (0-2, one free), Brian Farrell; Paddy Ganley (0-2, one free), Philip Gillen (1-1), Danny Keenan (0-1, free).

Sub:- Shane Henry for P Ganley (injured, 39 mins).

Referee: Eugene Murtagh (Sean Connolly's).

Dromard score comfortable win over resolute Rathcline

18.07.10 | SFC Group 4 Round 1 | Dromard 1-17 Rathcline 1-10              

By Padraic O'Brien

Last year's beaten finalists Dromard made their expected winning start to the current Senior Championship campaign and while the comfortable margin of seven points separated the sides in the finish it was a decent display by a resolute Rathcline side at Allen Park on Sunday last.
Dromard were slow to settle but gradually got their act together to assert their superiority and that dangerous duo Jamsie Martin and Francis McGee were particularly prominent as the north Longford club ended up leading by 0-9 to 0-4 at the break.

Four points apiece from Martin (all from play) and McGee (two from frees along with a '45') left Rathcline facing a real uphill battle and Cian Mimnagh was also on target for the title favourites, the latter getting the opening score of the game in the first minute.

The clean through Mimnagh had a great goal chance in the 19th minute but his point-blank shot was well saved by opposing keeper Declan Feeney with the inrushing Diarmuid Masterson blasting the breaking ball into the sidenetting.

Moments later Peter Masterson raced through but his attempt to find the back of the net was blocked down and that was another lucky escape for Rathcline who went into the game minus the services of Padraig Shanley and Michael Morrissey, both of whom are injured.

Paddy Mullooly converted a couple of frees and the other points were scored by hard working midfielder Derek Casserly (a terrific strike) and James Hanley to give Rathcline a glimmer of hope going into the second half.

With just 30 seconds gone on the changeover, Casserly fired over another point and a further brace of scores followed from Mullooly (a well struck '45') and Hanley in a spirited Rathcline revival which gave their supporters something to shout about.

That was a wake up call for Dromard who regained the upper hand with a point from Cian Mimnagh and a goal from Diarmuid Masterson who flicked the ball to the net in the 39th minute after Donal Sheridan created the clear-cut chance.

Francis McGee then fired over a free to leave Dromard in a commanding 1-11 to 0-7 lead but Rathcline were thrown a lifeline when Brian McCormack set up substitute Colin Fayne for a well-taken goal in the 44th minute.

A Paddy Mullooly free then hit the crossbar as Dromard continued to live dangerously but the pressure was eased when McGee landed an excellent free from near the sideline in the 51st minute. Points were then exchanged between Ryan Fallon and the accurate McGee and the lively Fallon got another score for the gutsy Rathcline side in the 55th minute.

The confident McGee shot over the bar again soon after and when Paddy Mullooly (free) replied for Rathcline in the 58th minute, Dromard were 1-14 to 1-10 ahead but still not certain of the victory.

However, the 2007 county champions finished very strongly indeed in adding three more points to their tally through Jamsie Martin, Cian Mimnagh and Ronan McEntire to run out fairly convincing winners and are now virtually guaranteed a place in the draw for the championship quarter-finals.

The crunch game in this three team group is the meeting of Rathcline and Fr. Manning Gaels in the next round and the Raths team manager Gareth Johnston will take some positives out of the defeat by Dromard in the quest to qualify for the knock-out stages despite the dismissal of defender Shane Carroll who was sent-off for dissent in the final minute of normal time.

DROMARD: Damien Sheridan; David Pettit, Niall Vance, Cathal Conefrey; Donal Sheridan, John Sheridan, Padraig Martin; Diarmuid Masterson (1-0), Noel Reynolds; Peter Reynolds, Francis McGee (0-8, four frees, one '45'), Peter Masterson; Jamsie Martin (0-5), Cian Mimnagh (0-3), Ronan McEntire (0-1).

Subs (second half):- Kevin Donohue for N Reynolds (half-time); Enda McEntire for P Masterson (injured); N Reynolds for P Reynolds.

RATHCLINE: Declan Feeney; Shane Carroll, Kevin Connaughton, Rory Donnellan; James Carroll, Ronan Clyne, Eamon Farrell; Derek Casserly (0-2), Sean Farrell; Ryan Fallon (0-2), Paddy Mullooly (0-4, three frees, one '45'), David Rooney; Kevin Chapman, Brian McCormack, James Hanley (0-2, one free).

Subs (second half):- Colin Clyne (1-0) for D Rooney; Michael Hanley for R Donnellan.

Referee: Michael O'Brien (Longford Slashers).

Sean Connolly's come out on top against Cashel

18.07.10 | SFC Group 2 Round 1 | Sean Connolly’s 2-6 Cashel 1-6                    

By Liam Cosgrove

A second half Kieran Mulvihill penalty miss proved costly for last year's Intermediate title winners Cashel as Sean Connolly's came out on top in the Senior Football Championship clash at Allen Park on Sunday last.

Mulvihill, who played a starring role in booking Cashel's place in the county's premier competition last season, looked decidedly out of sorts against a Connolly's outfit who steadily grew in confidence as the game wore on.

Padraig Farrell for Cashel and Martin Brady for Connolly's exchanged scores during what was a sluggish opening ten minute spell as both sides struggled to put any meaningful moves together.

With plenty of groans and disgruntled looking faces patrolling the touchline, the game suddenly sprang to life in the 12th minute as Connolly's seized the early initiative.

Ciaran McKeon found the impressive Enda Dalton deep in the Cashel corner back area with a delightfully weighted pass. Out of scoring range, Dalton cleverly fed the onrushing Thomas Keogh who in turn smashed the ball past the opposing keeper Blaine Carberry.

But back came Cashel. Kieran Mulvihill first slotted over a free before setting up James Rowan for an audacious effort from all of 40 metres to reduce the deficit to just two points at the interval, 1-2 to 0-3.

At the start of the second half, Connolly's restored their three point lead thanks to an incisive run and shot from Enda Dalton. Cashel, it appeared were in need of some inspiration from the likes of Ger Dennigan as well as Mulvihill and Shane Merrigan in attack.

And in the space of a couple of second half minutes, the game was in the proverbial melting pot once more. First, Merrigan found Dennigan who rattled over a sublime score from 45 metres, before Derek Farrell pointed a free.

Then came the moment Mulvihill and all Cashel supporters will want to forget. A long punt down-field by James Rowan was seized upon by Derek Farrell and just when the centre-half-forward was about to pull the trigger he was upended in the square.

After a brief lull in play, Mulvihill stepped up and despite sending James McKenna the wrong way, all he and his team-mates could do was watch in despair as the ball rebounded back off the upright and away to safety.

Two minutes later however, Cashel did find a way past McKenna in the Connolly's goal. Again it was 'route one', this time Ger Dennigan launching a hoofing punt deep into Connolly's territory. The ball eventually was pounced on by Padraig Farrell and with just McKenna to beat, he nonchalantly stroked the ball past the exposed keeper and into the back of the net.

Cashel were now two points up but failed to build on that momentum and a brace of Martin Brady points from frees ensured both sides would go into the final quarter level at 1-5 apiece. A well taken Shane Merrigan point pushed Cashel ahead with just over ten minutes to play, but that score would ultimately prove to be their last.

As Cashel continued to push forward looking to extend their slender lead, they began to leave gaps at the back. And six minutes from time Connolly's made them pay the ultimate price.

Eugene Murtagh released Padraig Brady down the right hand side. A quick pass to Trevor Murtagh on the opposite flank ripped the Cashel defence wide open and as Blaine Carberry attempted to narrow the angle in his goal, all Trevor Murtagh had to do was keep his cool and fire into an empty net.

It was a crushing blow to Cashel and matters got even worse for them four minutes later when Mark Diffley curled the ball over the bar. Despite a desperate last ditch bid by Cashel to salvage a draw, they were unable to engineer an equalising goal as Sean Connolly's held out for a crucial victory.

SEAN CONNOLLY'S: James McKenna; Andy McNamee, Paddy McDonnell, Brendan Treacy; Thomas Keogh (1-0), Padraig Brady, Eamon McEvoy; Martin Brady (0-3, all frees), Stephen Lynch; Shane Carrigy, Ciaran McKeon, Trevor Murtagh (1-0); Mark Diffley (0-2), Enda Dalton (0-1), Eugene Murtagh.

Sub:- Michael McGlynn for S Lynch (30 mins).

CASHEL: Blaine Carberry; Paul Egan, John Hopkins, Mark Egan; Shane Muldoon, Luke Casey, Conan Casey; Niall Donlon, Ger Dennigan (0-1); Colm O'Shea, Derek Farrell (0-1, free), Padraig Farrell (1-1); Kieran Mulvihill (0-1, free), James Rowan (0-1), Shane Merrigan (0-1).

Subs:- Kevin Farrell for S Muldoon (5 mins); Sean Donlon for K Mulvihill (41 mins); Peter Foy for D Farrell (54 mins).

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Ballymahon).

Longford Slashers finish strong to overcome Granard

18.07.10 | SFC Group 3 Round 1 | Longford Slashers 3-11 St. Mary’s 0-8

By Deniese O'Flaherty

Two late goals helped Longford Slashers sweep aside the challenge of a poor Granard St. Mary's side in the opening round of the Senior Football Championship at Devine Park on Sunday evening last.

Both sides finished the game with 14 men after Slashers player Niall Mulligan and Granard opponent David Blessington were shown red cards following an altercation.

With just a goal separating the sides entering the final six minutes Slashers got their decisive score when substitute Mark Smith latched onto a pass from his brother Colin to shoot past St. Mary's keeper James Hynes.

Slashers then seized the initiative and pulled away from their opponents as the minutes ticked down. Two more points were added to their score before Paul Kelly found the back of the net, albeit with a little help from the upright, in the final minute of the game. Colin Smith shot over the bar right at the end to give Slashers a convincing 12 point win.

There may have been plenty of scores in this game but the standard of football on show was below par. Although Slashers did what they had to do and win, they were far from impressive but there is no doubt they will improve as the championship goes on.

Granard, on the other hand, were dire with county minor Darren Gallagher by far their best player. Even though they enjoyed spells of possession they looked devoid of ideas and didn't appear to know how to work the ball. Slashers were able to put away scores when opportunities fell their way while Granard kept hitting hopeful balls into the forward line which the Slashers defence were able to gather.

The North Longford side were dealt a big blow with four minutes gone on the clock when David Hynes injured himself going for a ball. One minute later and Slashers opened the scoring with a point from the excellent Colin Smith.

Three minutes later and Slashers extended their lead to four points when they raised the green flag for the first time; Granard defender Sean Duggan slipped when going to collect a high ball and Adrian Murphy pounced to grab his sides first goal of the contest.

Slashers lead was five points one minute later when Smith pointed after good play from Ruairi Barrins. Granard's first score came in the 11th minute when Cliff Sheridan converted a free and the deficit was cut to a goal in the 20th minute after Jim-Bob Reilly and Derek Sheridan (free) landed a point apiece.

Granard had enjoyed plenty of possession but they failed to do anything productive with it and were punished when Slashers regained their five point advantage with scores from Niall Mulligan and Adrian Murphy.

But Granard stayed with their opponents; a free from Cliff Sheridan and a fisted point from David Blessington brought it back to a three point game but Slashers were that little bit sharper and as half-time approached they hit over two more points to leave five between the sides again going in at the break, 1-7 to 0-5.

Two minutes into the second half Derek Sheridan registered his sides sixth point. Such was the quality of football on show there was a ten minute lull in the game before the next score came; another free from Cliff Sheridan.

The introduction of Dominic Glennon for Trevor Clendenning one minute later proved instrumental for Slashers. Midway through the second half both sides found themselves down to 14 men when Mulligan and Blessington were shown straight red cards.

With time running out for Granard they decided to make changes but none of these had the desired effect. Instead it was Slashers that took control of the game in the final six minutes. First Mark Smith fired home their second goal and really put the game beyond Granard’s reach.

Colin Smith followed up with two points (one free) before Paul Kelly grabbed goal number three. Granard’s only reply was a free from Cliff Sheridan. Just before the final whistle Colin Smith fired over his ninth point of the game.

LONGFORD SLASHERS: Gordon Hourican; Peter Brady, Barry Gilleran, Gareth Ghee; Ruairi Barrins, Dermot Brady, Brian Farrell; Niall Mulligan (0-1), David Sheridan; Trevor Clendenning, Colin Smith (0-9, five frees), Adrian Murphy (1-1); Paul Kelly (1-0), Stephen Philips, Martin Tarmey.

Subs:- Sean Flynn for B Farrell (half-time); Dominic Glennon for T Clendenning (43 mins); Mark Smith (1-0) for M Tarmey (48 mins); Conor Barrins for D Brady (57 mins).

GRANARD: James Hynes; Kevin McGauran, Thomas Gallagher, Joseph Connolly; Sean Duggan, Alan Neilon, Paul Smyth; Darren Gallagher, Jim-Bob Reilly (0-1); Michael Murray, David Blessington (0-1), Glen Kelly; Derek Sheridan (0-3, two frees), Cliff Sheridan (0-3, all frees), David Hynes.

Subs:- Declan Hynes for David Hynes (injured, 4 mins); Michael O’Donnell for JB Reilly (26 mins); Ian Small for Declan Hynes (49 mins); Thomas Devaney for K McGauran (50 mins); Gene Kearney for S Duggan (55 mins).

Referee: Frank Toher (Killoe Young Emmets).

Mullinalaghta assert superiority in the second half to defeat Killoe

18.07.10 | SFC Group 1 Round 1 | St. Columba’s 1-12 Emmet Óg 0-8           

By Deniese O'Flaherty

In the last of the Senior Football Championship first round games, Mullinalaghta St. Columba's recorded a deserved six point win over Killoe Young Emmets at Devine Park on Sunday evening last.

The Mullinalaghta men put in a sterling second half performance to come out on top. The deciding score came ten minutes from time when substitute JJ Matthews found the back of the net.

Over the hour St. Columba's played some fine football, they were well balanced and also very well disciplined. In previous championship campaigns they picked up needless bookings and had players sent off which proved costly but on Sunday evening last it was all about football with the game played in a very sporting manner.

All over the field Mullinalaghta had leaders and it was very much a team effort but when Killoe came at them in the second half the North Longford side were inspired by midfielder John Keegan and Donal McElligott at full-forward.

McElligott was once again their leading marksman. Manager Joe Mulvihill really has his team in fantastic form and they could prove to be the darkhorses in this year's senior championship.

St. Columba's made an excellent start to the game and raced into a four point lead within the opening quarter. Donal McElligott registered their first score in the fourth minute from a free. Gary Rogers then followed up with a fine point.

Mullinalaghta created their first goal chance in the 10th minute but Killoe keeper Stephen Coy pulled off an excellent save to deny Conor McElligott. St. Columba's got their third point one minute later with Donal McElligott converting a '45 before Kevin Mulligan got on the scoresheet with a great effort.

John Keegan burst through the Young Emmets defence in the 15th minute and was taken down in the square. Referee Aidan Dowler immediately pointed to the spot and Ruairi McElligott stepped up to take the penalty but he blasted his effort wide. A real let off for Killoe.

Minutes later St. Columba's fired over their fifth point; another from the boot of Donal McElligott. Having been totally outplayed since the start of the game, Killoe got their first point in the 18th minute with a fine score from Sean McCormack.

Ronan McGoldrick then followed up with a point before McCormack got his second of the game from a free. Suddenly the Young Emmets started to win the midfield battle and as half-time approached they got back into the game with two well struck points from Sean McCormack.

Just before the break St. Columba's defender Conan Brady had a snapshot that just bounced wide of the far post with the Killoe goalkeeper beaten. The scores were level going in at half-time, 0-5 to 0-5.

In the early exchanges of the second half David Donohoe and Eugene Clarke exchanged points but St. Columba's regained the lead again in the 42nd minute with another Donal McElligott free.

The same player converted another free five minutes later before defender Conan Brady scored a fine point to put three between the sides.

Killoe appeared out of the game again at this stage but when they needed someone to turn to up popped Sean McCormack with a cracking score. The county player was excellent throughout and only for him the Young Emmets would have fallen to a heavier defeat.

Mullinalaghta though weren't going to let up and ten minutes from the end they got their decisive score when substitute JJ Matthews fired home the only goal. Five points was now the difference.

Unlike the first half Killoe were unable to cut that deficit. Donal McElligott hit over a fine point minutes later to extend his sides lead to six points before Joe McCormack replied for the Young Emmets with a fantastic point.

As the game entered the final five minutes St. Columba's started to exert more authority. Conor McElligott got on the scoresheet in the 55th minute and two minutes later the so accurate Donal McElligott fired over his seventh point. Sean McCormack landed a consolation score for Killoe in stoppage time.

MULLINALAGHTA: Patrick Rogers; Bernard Donohoe, Seamus Corcoran, Patrick Fox; Conan Brady (0-1), Shane Mulligan, Francis Mulligan; Ruairi McElligott, John Keegan; Gary Rogers (0-1), James McGivney, Kevin Mulligan (0-1); Conor McElligott (0-1), Donal McElligott (0-7, four frees, one '45), David Donohoe (0-1).

Sub:- JJ Matthews (1-0) for D Donohoe (44 mins).

KILLOE: Stephen Coy; Francis Brady, Peter Maguire, David Kiernan; Shane Dowd, Joe McCormack (0-1), Shane Doherty; Thomas Nolan, Ronan McGoldrick (0-1); Bernard O'Connor, Sean McCormack (0-6, three frees), Ger Carberry; Eugene Clarke (0-1), Sean Maguire, John Kiernan.

Sub:- Aidan Brady for B O'Connor (51 mins).

Referee: Aidan Dowler (Moydow Harpers).

Reports Copyright Longford Leader