Longford IFC: Wide open in the battle for Hennessy Cup glory

The second tier championship has been most competitive for the past number of years with the underdogs Ballymahon snatching a last gasp victory over Fr Manning Gaels in the 2022 title decider. 

Ardagh Moydow, Cashel, Kenagh, Fr Manning Gaels, Sean Connolly’s, St Brigid’s Killashee and Young Grattans will play each other in the round-robin group stage (six games apiece)  with the top four teams making it through to the semi-finals. 

The struggling Killashee side are facing a difficult task against Sean Connolly’s at the Grattans grounds, Dunbeggan on Saturday evening (throw-in 7pm).

St Brigid's will be without Longford attacker Dylan Farell who is in the United States for the summer months, a trend that has affected most of the clubs in the county this year.  

The Ballinalee side are generally considered as one of the main contenders for the Intermediate title but keep coming up short and will be hoping to make the breakthrough this year.

Connolly’s were competing against much stronger opposition in the Division 1 league this season and while they failed to win a game they produced some commendable performances. 

The powerful Longford defender Andrew Farrell will be leading the charge for Cashel who meet Kenagh in the first round game at Leo Casey Park in Ballymahon on Sunday ( 1.30pm).

Kenagh were most unfortunate to lose against Fr Manning Gaels at the semi-final stage last season while Cashel missed out on a last four spot on scores difference, such was the extremely tight nature of the prolonged group stage. 

Just three teams will exit the championship after seven rounds of fixtures and making the move up to the Intermediate grade are the 2022 Junior title winners Young Grattans who are not in action this weekend after receiving the bye in the opening round.

Ardagh Moydow will  apparently be missing injured duo Killian Farrell and Dylan Coady for their clash against Fr Manning Gaels in the remaining Round 1 fixture at the Slashers grounds, Michael Fay Park, on Sunday evening ( 7pm).

The Gaels will be looking to the scoring ability of the Cassidy brothers Martin and Cian in a bid to make a winning start and a close encounter is probably in prospect.

The Intermediate Championship is a minefield and while predicting who will reach the semi-finals is a tricky task, it should boil down to Sean Connolly’s, Fr Manning Gaels, Kenagh, Ardagh Moydow and Cashel to battle it out for the places in the last four.   

Round 1 Fixtures

Cashel v Kenagh

Prediction: Kenagh

Ardagh Moydow v Fr Manning Gaels

Prediction: Fr Manning Gaels

Sean Connolly’s v St Brigid’s Killashee

Prediction: Sean Connolly’s

Young Grattans a bye