Micheal Mulcahy goals pave the way for Longford’s win over Warwickshire

Longford . . . 2-21   Warwickshire . . . 1-15

A couple of goals from livewire corner-forward Micheal Mulcahy in the first half (10th and 24th minutes) paved the way for Longford’s win over Warwickshire in the National Hurling League Division 3B Round 2 clash at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday last 

Those crucial scores left the home side in a commanding 2-9 to 0-7 lead at the break and substitute Paddy Lynam (replacing the injured Mulcahy) was very much the main man on the changeover with the Westmeath native ending up with the impressive total of 8 points to his credit. 

Longford extended their advantage to ten points (2-12 to 0-8) following further scores from Cathal Mullane and Lynam (free and play) in the early stages of the second half before Warwickshire staged a determined comeback.

The gap was closed to just four points (2-13 to 1-12) when Jack Grealish scored a goal direct from a free in the 57th minute and the accurate attacker registered the tremendous tally of 1-11.
Fielding at full strength, Longford were in no mood to let a vital victory slip from their grasp and they pulled away again to shoot another eight points during the remainder of the match - four from Paddy Lynam (3 frees) with Reuben Murray, Cathal Mullane, Maitiu O’Donohoe and Stephen Gregg also on target.
The county senior hurlers next fixture in the National League is on Saturday March 9 when they take on Leitrim at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
Another vital victory in that local derby will almost certainly guarantee Longford a place in the knock-out stages with three teams to qualify in Division 3B.
Manager Adrian Moran will be pleased with the emphatic manner in which they dealt with the challenge of Warwickshire and the star of the show in the first half was Micheal Mulcahy who registered 2-2 before he was forced to retire injured just before the break.
The other seven points in the first half came from David Buckley (play and free), newcomer Sean Lancaster (Castlepollard), the returning Maitiu O’Donohoe (2), Charles Flynn and Paddy Lynam (sideline cut) while Jack Grealish accounted for six of the Warwickshire scores (4 frees) with Anthony Hands also on target.
Longford managed to consolidate their firm grip on the game in the second half and kept the scoreboard ticking over in adding another 12 points to their impressive tally, including a well struck ‘65 from the always influential Lynam who was back in action after recovering from injury.
A special mention must go to the young Caslin brothers Diarmaid and Darragh from the Slashers club (sons of former Longford player Niall) with both of the promising newcomers starting for the senior hurlers on Saturday
Apart from the chief marksman Grealish, the other Warwickshire scores in the second half came from Ciaran McKeigue, Kelvin McGee and Luke Hands.

LONGFORD: Pat Burke; Karl Murray, Eamon Allen, Oisin Gately; Adam Quinn, Johnny Casey, Evan Tully; David Buckley (0-2, 1 free), Diarmaid Caslin; Charles Flynn (0-1), Sean Lancaster (0-1), Maitiu O’Donohoe (0-3); Darragh Caslin, Cathal Mullane (0-2), Micheal Mulcahy (2-2).

Subs:- Paddy Lynam (0-8, 4 frees, 1 sideline cut, 1 ‘65) for M Mulcahy (injured, 34 mins); Reuben Murray (0-1) for Darragh Caslin (50 mins); Stephen Gregg (0-1) for Diarmaid Caslin (stoppage time). 

Temporary replacement:- Kealan Cox for K Murray (56 mins); Murray for Cox (60 mins). 

WARWICKSHIRE: Conor Cummins; Colm Shalvey, Niall Shalvey, Daniel Ryan; Donal Griffin, John Collins, Dan Lowry; Alex Hanley, Daire King; Anthony Hands (0-1), Jack Grealish (1-11, 8 frees, 1 ‘65), David Devine; Ciaran McKeigue (0-1), Luke Hands (0-1), Oisin Slattery.

Subs:- James Ogundare for O Slattery (42 mins); Kelvin McGee (0-1) for D Griffin (48 mins); Colm Kavanagh for C Shalvey (48 mins); Jamie Lynch for N Shalvey (50 mins); Paddy Hands for D King (60 mins). 

Referee: Ciaran O’Regan (Cork).