Longford SFC: Slashers almost catch out Clonguish as close encounter ends in a draw

Clonguish . . . 1-9   Longford Slashers . . . 1-9 

Longford Slashers let a comfortable six-point lead slip from their grasp in almost catching out last year’s beaten finalists Clonguish in the Senior Football Championship Round 1 clash at Maguire Park in Ballinalee on Saturday evening last. 

In a very dull first half, Ronan Kenny opened the scoring after 6 minutes for Slashers. Carey got a free then for the wind assisted Clonguish after 10 mins. Robbie Clarke pointed a free for Slashers  in the 17th minute. 

The next 3 points all could have been goals just as easy. Firstly, Slashers Darragh O’ Connell opted to fist over with goal at mercy before Carey took the easier option for Clonguish. before Peter Lynn was on target  for Slashers. 

Former county player Peter Lynn has returned from a lengthy injury absence but he could have taken an extra step when he shot for a point to give Slashers a 2 point lead. 

Also in the midst of the brief first half excitement, Cormac Flynn had a goal disallowed for Clonguish as referee Ger Carberry adjudicated with his umpires that Conor Shields handled the ball on the ground.

Ronan Sheahan notched a point at the end of a swift Slashers counter attack but Clonguish got a final score before the break. Cormac Flynn sought out David Barden with a high fisted ball that Barden subtly flicked back over his head into the path of Flynn to crucially narrow the gap. Half-Time Score; Slashers 0-5  Clonguish 0-4. 

Henceforth, all the best football was squeezed into the second half  which proved to be much more entertaining. Slashers now had the advantage of the wind and raced into a 6 point lead. 

Nippy corner forward Ronan Sheahan scored  a goal and a point while keeper Eoin McGuinness pointed a long range free to make it 1-7 to 0-4 with five minutes gone on the changeover. 

Without the injured quartet of Jack Duggan, Andrew Flynn, Michael Flynn and Conor Flynn, Clonguish battled back to shoot 1-2 in response with the points from Jason Glancy and Chris Gordon sandwiching a goal from Josh Sorohan, set up by David Barden.

The next 10 minutes became ponderous once again before Carey fisted the leveller with 10 minutes remaining.

Eoin McGuinness kicked a massive free to retake the lead but Carey converted a free to leave the sides all square again. Slashers thought they had the winner when the superb Andrew Dalton kicked a wonderful score with his left foot as additional time was running out.

However, Clonguish raced down the field and scored the equaliser through debutant Cormac Flynn who was once again assisted by the everlasting David Barden.

CLONGUISH: Joe O’Brien; Matthew Flynn, Gerard Moore, Conor Smith; Josh Sorohan (1-0), Ronan Sweeney, Cian Sutton; Jamie Dorr, Conor Shields; Ross Shields, Matthew Carey (0-5, 2f), Chris Gordon (0-1); Cormac Flynn (0-2), David Barden, Jason Glancy (0-1).

 Subs:- Kevin Burke for J Glancy (48 mins); Daniel Carey for M Flynn (48 mins).

LONGFORD SLASHERS: Eoin McGuinness (0-2, 2f); Ronan Kenny (0-1), Ronan Sheahan, Shane O’Connell; Sean Morgan, Conor Clarke, Peter Lynn (0-1); Andrew Dalton (0-1), Cian McGuinness; Robbie O’Connell, Robbie Clarke (0-1, f), Cian O’Nuallain; Ronan Sheahan (1-2), Tadhg McNevin, Darragh O’Connell (0-1).

 Subs:- Paddy Farrell for C Clarke (injured, half-time); Sean Clarke for P Farrell (48 mins);  Joe McEntire for C McGuinness (54 mins). 

Referee: Ger Carberry (Killoe Emmet Og).