Longford SFC: Killoe gradually assert superiority in comfortable win over Granard

Killoe Emmet Og . . . 1-14  St Mary’s Granard . . . 0-11 

The title holders Emmet Og ended the weekend top of Group 1 in the Senior Football Championship after a comprehensive victory over St. Mary’s at Lynch Park, Abbeylara on Sunday evening last.  

Granard, with the winds on their back, were full value for their two point lead at the break (0-8 to 1-3) but Killoe (missing many regulars) got the vital only goal through full back Niall Farrelly which kept them in contention for their steamrolling second half performance.

Daniel Mimnagh was playing in midfield in Paddy Kiernan’s absence and the county player was prominent throughout in a dominating performance. Mimnagh was the linchpin for all Killoe attacks, moving the ball with intent when picking possession up deep from restarts or turnovers.

Mimnagh was the linchpin for all Killoe attacks, moving the ball with intent when picking possession up deep from restarts or turnovers. He got his sole score of the first half from a mark to nudge Killoe back in front early on.

Harry Kiernan responded for Paul Lynch’s side with a fine effort before Mark Hughes converted a free. Micheal Hynes kicked a great score but had to retire after 20 minutes when he looked to hurt his knee in a tackle that resulted in a Jamie Brady Hynes free and point.

Brady Hynes doubled his tab with another close range free after the Farrelly goal to reduce arrears to one. Hynes’ replacement Liam Sullivan fired over to equalise before two wonderful Darren Gallagher efforts gave Granard a two point lead at the break, 0-8 to 1-3.
Shane McManus and Ronan McGoldrick levelled proceedings after the restart as both combined well for the opening pair of attacks in the second half. Granard would be disappointed how Killoe took the lead 5 minutes into the half as Hughes pointed from short range after a cheap free was conceded from a technical foul after a short kick out.
St Mary’s interest in this game then petered out with every failed attack as Killoe’s efficiency levelled up with the wind in their favour. The Stephen Coy trained side fired over 8 points without reply with Hughes, Mimnagh, Ronan McGoldrick and Paddy Moran providing the scores.
Gavin Hughes received a black card 6 minutes before the end and Granard made enough of the numerical advantage to get their first score of the half through Harry Kiernan.
The terrorising Mimnagh squeezed in a brace of points (1 free) before the end and his midfield partner Ronan Keogh also pointed while Gallagher plus Brady Hynes notched consolation frees for Granard in the closing stages.
Killoe were able to start two debutants in Eamon Igoe and minor Davin Donnelly as Paddy Kiernan, Darren Moffett, Cian Farrelly or Oisin McManus were missing from the team from their opening round win over Colmcille.
Mickey Quinn, Evan Farrelly, Micheal and Liam Hughes are still to come back for Killoe as well as James Moran and Cian Dooner who both made a late cameo appearance in the first round but didn’t appear on Sunday.More concerning for Paul Lynch will be the short 5 day turn around to face Colmcille on Friday night after the injuries his side accrued in this encounter as he lost 4 of his contingent to injuries in Abbeylara and they will most certainly be needed against Colmcille in Ballinalee.

KILLOE EMMET OG: Shane Fitzpatrick; Gavin Hughes, Niall Farrelly (1-0), Eamon Igoe; Shane Clarke, Ryan Moffett, Gavin Farrelly; Ronan Keogh (0-1), Daniel Mimnagh (0-4, 1m, 2f); Paddy Moran (0-1), Denis McGoldrick, Shane McManus (0-2); Davin Donnelly, Ronan McGoldrick (0-3), Mark Hughes (0-3, 2f).

ST MARY’S GRANARD: Thomas Gallagher; Dylan Reilly, James Kiernan, Aaron Smyth;  Mark O’Neill, Mark Tully, Vinny Nally; Darren Gallagher (0-4, 2f), Charlie Martin; Sean Corcoran, Micheal Hynes (0-1), Jakub Pawlowski; Harry Kiernan (0-2), Jamie Brady Hynes (0-3, 3f), David Callaghan. 

Subs:- Liam Sullivan (0-1) for M Hynes (22 mins, injured); Jordan Shiels for Jakub Pawlowski (35 mins, injured); Patrick Hynes for J Kiernan (39 mins); Paul Smyth for M Tully (53 mins).

Referee: Mark Glancy (Rathcline).