Phillips on fire as Slashers progress to semi-finals

21.08.10 | SFC Quarter-Final | Longford Slashers 2-11 St. Columba’s 0-8 | By Deniese O'Flaherty

A stirring second half performance from full-forward Stephen Phillips inspired Longford Slashers to victory over St. Columba's in Pearse Park on Saturday evening.

The nifty forward was in fantastic form after the break and his goal midway through the second half set Slashers on the way to a place in the last four of the senior championship.

Despite going in at the break two points in arrears Slashers came out for the second-half full of intent and they were ruthless at times in their disposal of St. Columba's.

After being so near in the last few years, the Longford town side would like to make another county final and hopefully go one better this year.

For St. Columba's the journey ends for this year and although they were well beaten by Slashers they can be extremely proud of their championship run.

They have produced some great performances but just couldn't replicate the form that earned them a place in the quarter-finals.

At the start of the year Columba's were most people's favourites to be fighting relegation and few would've predicted their progression in the championship. Despite losing out to a well-balanced and experienced Slashers side, they have plenty to build on for next year.

Columba's knew it was going to be a tough encounter and they needed to get off to a bright start and that's what they did.

Inside the opening ten minutes they raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead. Colin Smith cut that lead to a point from a free shortly after but the two point advantage was restored in the 16th minute when Kevin Mulligan fired over a lovely point.

Mulligan was again on target minutes later and there was four between the sides when Donie McElligott hit over a free in the 23rd minute. Slashers' supporters thought their side had cut the deficit to just one point two minutes before the break.

Mark Smith got to the end of his brother Colin's ball but his effort went through the side-netting, after a slight deflection from a Columba's defender. Adrian Murphy hit over the resulting '45. Mark Smith got on the scoresheet one minute later with a great point to leave them trailing by two going in at the interval.

Slashers were full of purpose after the break and Mark Smith had his side level with two points in the opening 11 minutes.

The game turned in Slashers favour in the 45th minute when they got their first goal. It put them ahead for the first time in the game and gave them the impetus to go on and win it. Colin Smith started the move, playing the ball off to Trevor Clendenning and he passed to Phillips whose shot went in off the the post.

Columba's were stunned and quickly introduced midfielder John Keegan to the fray. However, it was Slashers that went on to register the next score; Phillips getting his first point of the game to extend his side's advantage to four points.

Two further scores from Adrian Murphy (fantastic point) and Phillips extended that lead to six.

After being completely outplayed in the second half Columba's got their first score of the half and their first for 30 minutes in the 53rd minute when Donie McElligott pointed over a free.

Slashers responded with another Phillips point, and soon after the game was over as a contest when the town side raised the green flag for the second time.

Niall Mulligan, who put in a fine performance in midfield, did all the hard work, he found Paul Kelly who sprinted up the field and passed to Phillips who laid the ball off to substitute Martin Tarmey and he found the back of the net.

McElligott got Columba's last score of the game in the 57th minute hitting over another free before Phillips capped off a fine display with the final score of the game.

Longford Slashers: Gordon Hourican; Gareth Ghee, Barry Gilleran, Dominic Glennon; Trevor Clendenning, Dermot Brady, Peter Brady; Niall Mulligan, David Sheridan; Philip Dobson, Colin Smith (0-2, 1f), Adrian Murphy (0-2, 1'45); Mark Smith (0-3, 2f), Stephen Phillips (1-4), Paul Kelly.

Subs used: Martin Tarmey (1-0) for Dobson 52 mins; Sean Flynn for Clendenning 54 mins; Conor Barrins for Glennon 57 mins; Ruairi Barrins for P Brady 58 mins.

St. Columba's: Patrick Rogers; Bernard Donohoe, Seamus Corcoran, Patrick Fox; Conan Brady, Shane Mulligan, Francis Mulligan (0-1); Ruairi McElligott, Donie McElligott (0-4,4f); Conor McElligott, James McGivney, Gary Rogers; JJ Matthews, Kevin Mulligan (0-3), David Donohoe.

Subs used: John Keegan for D Donohoe 45 mins; D Donhoe for K Mulligan 52 mins; Ruairi Mulligan for C McElligott; Mel Dermody for McGivney; Dermot McCabe for Rogers all 60 mins.

Referee: Eugene Murtagh (Sean Connolly's).

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