Longford SFC: Clonguish make bright beginning in the senior championship

Former Kenagh and Longford player Liam Belton is in his second season as the manager of Clonguish and they produced a strong second half performance to beat Longford Slashers at Emmet Park on Saturday evening. 

Rising young star Matthew Carey fired over a total of eight points and he also created the chance for Chris Gordon to score the crucial only goal as Slashers suffered a disappointing 1-14 to 0-11 defeat.

When Jack Duggan returns from his summer stint in the United States he will team up with Carey in a lethal attacking threat but there is some bad news for Clonguish as Ronan Sweeney is sidelined after sustaining a serious shoulder injury in the early stages of the clash against Slashers, who were minus the suspended Daire O’Brien.

The main title contenders Killoe and Mullinalaghta both won their opening fixtures with a certain degree of comfort. Emmet Og defeated the reigning champions Colmcille 2-8 to 0-6 at Allen Park while St Columba’s eventually got the better of a spirited Rathcline side to come out on top by  a rather flattering seven points margin at McGee Park. 

Dromard were in control against Mostrim, winning by 0-16 to 1-8, while Abbeylara overcame Carrickedmond 1-10 to 1-4. The easiest victory at  the weekend was recorded by St Mary’s Granard who proved much too strong for last year’s Intermediate title winners  Ballymahon.

In Round 2 of the Intermediate Championship last weekend, there were comfortable wins for Fr Manning Gaels (v Cashel) and Sean Connolly’s (v Kenagh) and even at this early stage it looks like the men from Drumlish/Ballinamuck and Ballinalee are shaping up for a major crack at capturing the Hennessy Cup.

St BrigId’s bounced back from their defeat against Connolly’s the previous week to take Grattans and this result keeps Killashee in contention for a place in the semi-finals.

There are nine more games down for decision between the Senior and Intermediate Championships this weekend and the most attractive clash is the meeting of neighbouring rivals Mullinalaghta and Abbeylara at the Higginstown grounds in Granard on Saturday evening, throw-in 7pm.

Peter Hanley Motors SFC 

Round 2 Fixtures

Group 1

St Mary’s Granard v Dromard

Prediction: Dromard

Longford Slashers v Ballymahon

Prediction: Slashers

Mostrim v Clonguish

Prediction: Clonguish

Group 2

Mullinalaghta St Columba’s v Abbeylara

Prediction: Mullinalaghta

Carrickedmond v Colmcille

Prediction: Colmcille

Killoe Emmet Og v Rathcline

Prediction: Killoe

Mulleady Group IFC

Round 3 Fixtures

Young Grattans v Kenagh

Prediction: Kenagh

Sean Connolly’s v Fr Manning Gaels

Prediction: Fr Manning Gaels

Cashel v Ardagh Moydow

Prediction: Ardagh Moydow