Longford SFC: Mostrim come from seven points down to defeat gallant Kenagh

Mostrim . . . 2-10   Kenagh . . . 2-7

After building up a comfortable seven points lead (1-4 to 0-0) in a brilliant start, last year’s Intermediate title winners Kenagh looked like causing a big upset against Mostrim in the opening round of the 2024 Senior Football Championship at the Clonbonny grounds in Lanesboro on Saturday evening.  

The introduction of substitutes Dylan Hutchinson and Seamus Hannon in the early stages of the second half played a key role in the Mostrim revival and the determined comeback was complete with three points separating the sides at the final whistle. 

Hutchinson’s surging runs on his championship debut and Hannon’s aerial ability and presence at full-forward caused Kenagh numerous problems on the changeover as Mostrim earned a crucial win in the bid to qualify for the quarter-finals with Darragh ‘Doc’ Doherty the chief marksman with 2-2 to his credit. 

Managed by former Ballymahon and Longford star Trevor Smullen, Kenagh were the superior side in the first half and should have been much further ahead than their three-point interval lead (1-5 to 1-2) with Keelan McGann scoring the goal. 

MOSTRIM: Caolán Hussey; Shane Campbell, Cian McLoughlin, Shane Sheridan; Ronan Courtney, Shane Kiernan, Jack Belton;  Martin Coyle (0-1), James Connell; Dario Cigliano, Padraig Joyce (0-3), Cameron Nugent; Niall Quinn, Tiarnan Hussey (0-3, 1f, 1 ’45), Darragh Doherty (2-2, 1 penalty,1f).

Subs:- Dylan Hutchinson for C Nugent (35 mins), Seamus Hannon (0-1) for C McLoughlin (37 mins).

KENAGH: Damien Higgins; John Gill, James Higgins, Alan Jones; Andrew Dalton, Graham Forbes, Ollie Manser; Daniel Galvin, Keelan McGann (1-1,1f); Cormac McGann (0-2), Josh Kelly (0-1), Thomas McGann; Shane Farrell, Darren Carberry (1-3,1f), Shane Doyle.

Subs:- Aidan Carberry for A Dalton (50 mins); Aaron Kelly for C McGann (52 mins); Shea Carberry for T McGann (60 mins).

Referee: Michael Farrell (Ballymahon).