Longford SFC: Title holders Killoe in control against Colmcille

Killoe Emmet Og . . . 0-13   Colmcille . . . 2-4

While the slender margin of three points separated the sides in the finish, Killoe began the defence of the Connolly Cup with a certain degree of comfort on their way to winning the Round 1 clash at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Tuesday night.

Goals from Cathal McCabe and Fergal Sheridan kept Colmcille in contention and the 2022 county champions had one last chance to snatch a draw deep into stoppage time but a Jack Macken free was blocked down and the danger was cleared.

While Emmet Og were clearly the superior side it must be said that the title holders were rather suspect in defence with Colmcille creating a couple of other decent goal chances during the course of this tame affair.

That is clearly a cause for concern for the manager Luke Dempsey but key players Michael Quinn and Liam Hughes have still to return from their respective injuries and Killoe will cruise through to the quarter-finals.

The fact that Colmcille (managed by Killoe clubman Ger Carberry) failed to register a point from play was the most disappointing aspect of their overall display but  there was no such problem for Mark Hughes with the deadly accurate Emmet Og chief marksman firing over a total of six points (3 frees). 

KIlloe led by just the minimum of margins at the break (0-6 to 1-2) but a strong start to the second half yielded three scores in a row from Paddy Kiernan (a cracking strike), Denis McGoldrick and Hughes.

Emmet Og were always able to step up another gear when it was needed and they ended up with 14 players when their prominent midfielder Kiernan was dismissed for a second bookable offence close to the final whistle.

KILLOE EMMET OG: Oisin McManus; Gavin Hughes, Ryan Moffett, Niall Farrelly; Shane Clarke, Darren Moffett, Gavin Farrelly (0-1); Paddy Kiernan (0-1), Ronan Keogh; Daniel Mimnagh (0-2), Denis McGoldrick (0-2), Cian Farrelly; Paddy Moran, Ronan McGoldrick (0-1), Mark Hughes (0-6, 3 frees). 

Subs:- Cian Dooner for R McGoldrick (48 mins);James Moran for S Clarke (54 mins); Ciaran Donohoe for D McGoldrick (54 mins).

COLMCILLE: Darren Walsh; Gerard Mulligan, Enda Macken, Conor Grant; Ruairi Harkin, Declan Reilly, Philip McKeon; Vinny Hourican, Fergal Sheridan (1-0); Shea Farley, Jack Macken (0-3, all frees), Cathal McCabe (1-0); Cathal Reilly, Paul McKeon, Barry McKeon (0-1, free).

Subs:- Dylan McCabe for S Farley (half-time); Eoghan Williams for Philip McKeon (42 mins); Sean Smith for C Reilly (54 mins); Aaron Smith for F Sheridan (54 mins). 

Referee: Hugh O’Kane (Young Grattans).