Longford Slashers overcome Mostrim to book final ticket

05.09.10 | SFC Semi-Final | Longford Slashers 0-14 Mostrim 0-6 | By Padraic O'Brien

Displaying a lot of authority, Longford Slashers booked their place in the Senior Football Championship decider for the third time since 2006 and were in complete control against a Mostrim side who crashed to a disappointing defeat in the semi-final at Pearse Park on Sunday evening last.

New manager Denis Connerton has certainly made a big difference this season as Slashers are gradually realising their true potential and they will be approaching the county final against Dromard on the last Sunday in September with considerable confidence in the quest to regain the coveted Connolly Cup for the first since 1994.

Using their physical strength to excellent effect and who crowded out the Mostrim attack in winning the tactical battle, Slashers could afford the luxury of kicking a total of 12 wides and still emerge victorious by the emphatic margin of eight points in this one-sided encounter watched by an attendance of around 800.

Even the loss of prominent defender Paul Kelly (slight hamstring strain) for the entire second half failed to halt the rampant charge of the townies who were far too strong for the inexperienced Edgeworthstown outfit and particularly outstanding for the sky-blues was Niall Mulligan who was a real driving force at centrefield.

Mighty Mulligan received solid support from David Sheridan as Slashers laid the foundations for a surprisingly easy victory in dominating the exchanges in the middle of the park and thus their slick attack received a constant supply of the ball with deadly accurate centre-half-forward Colin Smith the chief marksman with seven points, five from frees.

The tough tackling Slashers defence were really resolute in giving little away and contained the threat of the Mostrim dangermen Brian Farrell and Michael Hussey. Excellent blocks by the influential Barry Gilleran and Paul Kelly during the course of the first half underlined the tremendous spirit that Slashers are showing this year and another current county player Dermot Brady also figured prominently in sweeping up a lot of the ball.

Determined corner-back Dominic Glennon also played particularly well and while it was generally a competent team effort despite some poor finishing, there is still room for improvement as Slashers prepare for the difficult task that lies ahead against last year's beaten finalists Dromard.

The young Mostrim team did not do themselves justice in the semi-final and trailed by 0-13 to 0-2 with just twelve minutes of the game remaining. But John Smith's charges kept plugging away and after Shane Kiernan blasted the ball over the bar in his bid for a badly needed goal in the 48th minute, another point followed from Brian Farrell who converted a free.

Two more goal attempts from David Morgan and Farrell were narrowly wide and the latter landed a well struck '45' to close the wide gap.

Farrell gave the Mostrim supporters something to shout about when kicking a glorious point from play near the sideline in the 55th minute but Slashers got back on top for the remainder of the game and brought the scoring to a close when Colin Smith converted a free in the 60th minute.

With time almost up Brian Farrell blasted a Mostrim free wide in his attempt to grab a consolation goal but they were well beaten by superior opposition who also came out on top (winning by five points) when the teams clashed in the group stages of the championship.

Slashers will be hoping to make amends for the bitter disappointment of those final defeats in 2006 (v Abbeylara) and 2008 (v Colmcille) but could have done with a sterner test in the last four showdown that failed to live up to expectations.

Most of the damage was inflicted in the first half as Slashers established a comfortable 0-8 to 0-2 lead at the break and registered their opening score in the 4th minute when Stephen Phillips shot over the bar.

Another point quickly followed from Colin Smith (free) before Mostrim eventually got off the mark when wing back Paddy Smith shot over the bar in the 11th minute.

Philip Dobson replied immediately and two more Slashers points materialised with Adrian Murphy (a cracking effort) and Colin Smith (free) on target before Joe Dempsey got his name on the Mostrim scoresheet in the 20th minute.

Leading by 0-5 to 0-2, Slashers went on to extend their advantage with a great point from Niall Mulligan and after Colin Smith landed another well struck free from 40 yards out, chances were squandered by both sides before Mark Smith kicked a tremendous score from a tight angle in stoppage time.

The second half was only a minute old when Mark Smith registered his second point and Slashers then shot a few wides before they clicked into top gear again to fire over another four points between the 40th and 47th minutes.

Three of the scores came from Colin Smith, the first from a free and he then landed a brace of marvellous efforts from play before substitute Brian Farrell (slotting in effectively at wing back in place of the injured Paul Kelly) burst his way through the Mostrim defence to notch a fine point.

It had become embarrassing for Mostrim but at least they tried to give the scoreline a more respectable look and were rewarded for their perseverance with four points in a row in finally making an impact in the last quarter of the contest at a stage when Slashers had already done enough to clinch another county final appearance.

LONGFORD SLASHERS: Gordon Hourican; Gareth Ghee, Barry Gilleran, Dominic Glennon; Peter Brady, Dermot Brady, Paul Kelly; Niall Mulligan (0-1), David Sheridan; Trevor Clendenning, Colin Smith (0-7, five frees), Adrian Murphy (0-1); Mark Smith (0-2), Stephen Phillips (0-1), Philip Dobson (0-1).

Subs:- Brian Farrell (0-1) for P Kelly (injured, half-time); Sean Flynn for P Dobson (45 mins); Thomas O'Rourke for P Brady (51 mins); Martin Tarmey for A Murphy (54 mins); Conor Barrins for D Glennon (60 mins).

MOSTRIM: Ciaran Garvey; Ciaran Gallagher, Michael Victory, Aaron Gallagher; Paddy Smith (0-1), Seamus Hannon, Martin Coyle; Michael Kenny, Fintan Coyle; Gerard Smith, Shane Kiernan (0-1), Joe Dempsey (0-1); Brian Farrell (0-3, one free, one '45'), David Morgan, Michael Hussey.

Subs:- Conor Tuite for M Kenny (half-time); Alan O'Hara for G Smith (41 mins).

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Ballymahon).

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