Longford Slashers beat Clonguish Gaels to reach the county senior hurling final

Longford Slashers . . . 3-14    Clonguish Gaels . . . 1-9

With the advantage of the strong wind in the first half at C&D Devine Park in Edgeworthstown on Saturday evening last, Slashers produced a powerful performance to build up a commanding 2-12 to 0-3 lead at the break. 

Lively corner forward Micheal Mulcahy scored both goals and there was no way back for the title holders despite a determined display in the second half.

The highlight of Slashers first half demolition job in the wet and windy ‘summer’ conditions in Edgeworthstown was their fantastic first goal in the 17th minute, engineered by David Harney who flicked a delightful pass into the path of Micheal Mulcahy who made no mistake in finding the back of the net.

Mulcahy scored his second goal in the 20th minute after his initial effort was saved by the Clonguish Gaels keeper Eanna Daly and that left Slashers leading by 2-6 to 0-2.

Stephen Gregg and Paul Barden fired over a point apiece for Clonguish in the early stages of the game but they only managed one more score in the first half from a free converted by Matthew Flynn in the 28th minute.

Midfielder Reuben Murray was the chief marksman for Slashers in shooting a total of eight points (five frees) during the course of the game of the first half while Karl Murray, David Buckley, Iarlaith Dolan and David Harney also got their names on the scoresheet.

Clonguish Gaels scored a consolation goal midway through the second half when Matthew Flynn shot to the net and moments later they almost raised another green flag when a Joe O’Brien close range strike was brilliantly saved by the opposing keeper Noel Dunne.

Buckley scored the third goal for Slashers in the 60th minute and this was a most emphatic victory for Niall Ward’s charges who will be hard beaten in their quest for Duignan Cup glory.

The points for the losers in the second half came from Joe O’Brien (3), Matthew Flynn, Eanna Daly and Gerard Moore.

Clonguish Gaels now meet Wolfe Tones Mostrim in Round 3 of the group stage on Saturday August 19th with the winners advancing to meet Slashers in the county final.  

LONGFORD SLASHERS: Noel Dunne; Diarmuid Caslin, Karl Murray (0-1), Rory Maher; Daire Regan, Johnny Casey, Kealan Cox; Reuben Murray (0-8, five frees), Ronan Sheahan; Eoin Donnellan, David Buckley (1-2), Iarlaith Dolan (0-2); Micheal Mulcahy (2-0), Cian Kavanagh, David Harney (0-1). 

Subs:- Matthew Hawes for E Donnellan (half-time); Francis Dolan for R Maher (injured, 45 mins); Darragh Caslin for F Dolan (56 mins); Jack Horgan Swaris for D Harney (stoppage time). 

CLONGUISH GAELS: Eanna Daly (0-1, free); Eamon Nertney, Michael Devlin, Cathal McGlynn; David Gregg, Gerard Moore (0-1), Padraig McGuinness; Raymond O’Brien, Declan Lee; Dan Crossan, Matthew Flynn (1-2, one free), Brian Gordon; Joe O’Brien (0-3, one ‘65, one free), Stephen Gregg (0-1), Paul Barden (0-1). 

Subs:- Oisin Gately for C McGlynn (21 mins); Conor Carroll for P McGuinness (half-time); Alan Sorohan for J O’Brien (injured, 51 mins); Eoin Halpin for D Gregg (53 mins); Patrick Crossan for B Gordon (53 mins). 

Referee: Bernard Heaney (Meath).