Connerton star of show as Longford lift Shield

11.08.10 | Longford 1-10 Leitrim 0-9 | By Deniese O'Flaherty

Longford claimed another piece of silverware last Wednesday evening when their juveniles defeated neighbours Leitrim in the Fr Manning Shield Final.

It was a deserved win for Longford who played well throughout. Despite an early second half fight-back from Leitrim, the result was never really in doubt.

Leitrim didn't exactly have the ideal preparation for this game. One of their team buses suffered two punctures on the way to the Longford Slashers Grounds and the game was put back by nearly 30 minutes.

With the Fr Manning Cup Final due to be played after the Shield Final it was decided to play just 20 minutes a-side, to make up the lost time.

Leitrim had two early opportunities to open the scoring but inside the first two minutes they hit two bad wides; one from a free and one from play.

It was Longford that registered the first score on the board when Liam Connerton pointed over in the third minute. The midfielder was influential for his side and put in an impressive display.

Rory Connor hit over Longford's second point one minute later after some quick thinking by full-forward Timmy Jackson.

Longford had a glorious chance to grab the first goal of the game in the eighth minute but Brian Walsh blasted his effort wide.

Full-forward Stephen Gilheaney got Leitrim off the mark in the seventh minute when he fired over a neat score. He hit over his second point two minutes later after he was fouled by Longford full-back Martin Mulligan. In the 12th minute Leitrim went in front for the first and only time when Niall Brady fired over a nice point.

Longford then took control of proceedings and built up a six point lead before half-time. The towering Jackson was instrumental in two of their scores; twice laying the ball off to Killian Farrell who fired over two points in quick succession.

Connerton got his second point of the game minutes later before Farrell fisted his effort over. Just before the break Longford scored the game's only goal; Colin Sheridan had a shot superbly blocked by the Leitrim defence, Connerton picked up the loose ball and made no mistake.

Leitrim started off the second half brightly and within the opening two minutes had cut the deficit to four points with two frees from the boot of Mark McRory. Sheridan then brought a fine save out of Leitrim goalkeeper Brendan Byrne before Leitrim fired over three unanswered points.

First Gilheaney burst through to point over six minutes after the restart and Michael Doonan followed up with another fine score. There was just one between the sides three minutes later when Longford defender Edmund Kelly was harshly penalised after putting in a fantastic challenge; McRory stepped up to hit over his third free of the game.

But that was as near as Leitrim were to get to Longford. Sheridan got on the scoresheet two minutes later with a fine score and the lead was extended to three points when Farrell hit over a free.

McRory got Leitrim's final point of the game one minute from time to cut the gap to two points but Longford responded with two late points from Sheridan and half-back Cian Farrelly. Right at the end Connerton had a chance to his second goal of the game but his effort was blocked on the line.

LONGFORD: Colm Farrell; Lee Masters, Martin Mulligan, Edmund Kelly; Niall Casserly, Shane Clarke, Cian Farrelly (0-1); Brian Walsh, Liam Connerton (1-2); Emmet Noonan, Killian Farrell (0-4,1f), Andrew Dalton; Rory Connor (0-1), Timmy Jackson, Colin Sheridan (0-2).

Sub used: Nathan Conroy for Noonan 38mins.

LEITRIM: Brendan Flynn; Jack Lacey, Gary Butler, Sean Fox; Brendan Byrne, Tiernan O'Rourke, Cian McGuinness; Gary Plunkett, Phelim McHugh; Mark McRory (0-4,3f), James Rooney, Padraig Gallagher; Niall Brady (0-1), Stephen Gilheany (0-3,1f) Michael Doonan (0-1).

Sub used: Robbie Broughton for Butler half-time

Referee: Damien Maher (Westmeath).

Copyright Longford Leader