Longford SFC & IFC: The heat is on with some clubs under pressure

With the first round losers feeling the pressure, the heat is on for the next batch of matches in the Longford Senior and Intermediate Football Championships in a packed programme over the next few days. 

St Mary’s loss against Rathcline is a cause of some concern for the Granard manager Paul Lynch and while his team will be strengthened by the return of regular centre-half-back Mark Tully, it remains to be seen whether Darren Gallagher will be fit enough to feature against Killoe in the Round 2 clash at Lynch Park.

Tully (who was unavailable) and Gallagher (injured) were sorely missed in the setback against Rathcline and few can argue with the fact that the Division 1 league champions will be very hard pressed to spring a surprise against the Connolly Cup holders. 

Although Mostrim got their championship campaign off to a winning start in coming from seven points behind to beat last year’s Intermediate title winners Kenagh, the task against Rathcline at Leo Casey Park  is going to be much tougher and stopping the threat of the lethal Kenny brothers Shane and Oran is obviously a key factor. 

After producing a disappointing display in their tame first round defeat against Killoe, it will be a major shock if the 2022 county champions Colmcille fail to get back on track against Kenagh at Moran Park.

The situation is a lot tighter in the other group which is a real minefield and there was little separating the six sides in the opening round,  clearly reflected in a couple of drawn games along with Dromard’s hard earned win over Carrickedmond.

Apart from the absence of the unavailable county players Joseph Hagan and Oisin O’Toole at this moment in time, injury looks set to rule Ronan McEntire out of the match against Mullinalaghta at Allen Park.

Fortunate to snatch a draw against Abbeylara in Round 1, St Columba’s will welcome back Patrick Fox and should be good enough to come out on top while Clonguish are also fancied to register a vital victory against Carrickedmond at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park this Wednesday evening, throw-in 7.45pm. 

Last year’s beaten finalists were without a few of their promising young guns in the lucky escape against Slashers who were also understrength in the stalemate with the sky-blues letting a comfortable six-point lead slip from their grasp.

Slashers might have to settle for second best against Abbeylara at Devine Park this weekend with the losers here in grave danger of missing out on a place in the quarter-finals and thus there is a lot at stake in what is probably the most interesting fixture in Round 2. 

The form guide was turned completely upside down in the opening round of the Intermediate Championship, such is the wide open nature of the Tier 2 competition.

Sean Connolly’s enter the Hennessy Cup arena this weekend after receiving the bye in the start to the group stage fixtures and are well warned for their meeting with Killashee who caused a considerable upset to overcome Fr Manning Gaels in the previous round. 

While the Drumlish/Ballinamuck outfit will be well fancied to beat Ballymore, last year’s Junior  champions will be quietly confident after receiving a big boost in their great win against Ballymahon in this unexpected result.

Next up for Ballymahon is a make or break showdown against Ardagh Moydow, the latter failing against Cashel  in the opening round, and the fear of relegation will be a major scare for the losers in Lanesboro on Saturday.

Wednesday 1 August  

Peter Hanley Motors Senior Football Championship  

Group 2 - Round 2

Glennon Brothers Pearse Park: Carrickedmond v Clonguish, 7.45pm

Prediction: Clonguish

 Friday 2 August

 Group 1 - Round 2   

Carrickedmond, Moran Park: Colmcille v Kenagh 7.45pm

Prediction: Colmcille

Ballymahon, Leo Casey Park: Mostrim v Rathcline, 8pm

Prediction: Rathcline

Saturday 3 August

 Group 2 - Round 2 

Edgeworthstown, C & D Devine Park: Longford Slashers v Abbeylara, 7pm

Prediction: Abbeylara

Newtownforbes, Allen Park: Mullinalaghta St. Columba's v Dromard, 7pm

Prediction: Mullinalaghta  

Mulleady Group Intermediate Football Championship Group Stage 

Round 2 

Lanesboro, Clonbonny: Ardagh Moydow v Ballymahon, 7pm

Prediction: Ballymahon 

Cashel a bye 

Sunday 4 August

Peer Hanley Motor Senior Football Championship

Group 1 - Round 2  

Abbeylara, Lynch Park: St. Mary's Granard v Killoe Emmet Og,  6pm

Prediction: Killoe

Mulleady Group Intermediate Football Championship Group Stage Round 2 

Mullinalaghta, The Laurels: Ballymore v Fr Manning Gaels, 2.30pm

Prediction: Fr Manning Gaels

Ardagh, Keenan Park: St. Brigid's Killashee v Sean Connolly’s, 4pm

Prediction: Sean Connolly’s