Longford SFC: Granard crack Kenagh for crucial first win in the championship

St Mary’s Granard . . . 4-10   Kenagh . . . 0-6 

St Mary’s Granard recorded a comprehensive 16-point victory over a very weakened Kenagh side to remain in the hunt for a quarter-final place in the Senior Football Championship.  

Goals from Aaron Smyth, Charlie Martin, David Callaghan and Paul Smyth paved the way for Granard’s crucial first win in the current Connolly Cup campaign at Emmet Park in Killoe on Sunday evening.

Kenagh were missing up to seven of their first choice team so it was always going to be a real uphill battle in the bid to avoid a relegation play-off against the club that eventually finishes fifth in the other group. 

 St Mary’s manager Paul Lynch must be concerned with the twelve wides they hit despite this emphatic success as they now face Mostrim in a straight shoot-out to decide who makes it through to the last eight and who will join Kenagh in the drop zone. 

ST MARY’S GRANARD: Thomas Gallagher; Dylan Reilly, Mark Tully, Aaron Smyth (1-0);  Mark O’Neill (0-1), James Kiernan, Jordan Shiels; Darren Gallagher (0-2, 1f), Charlie Martin (1-0);  Harry Kiernan (0-1), Liam Sullivan (0-3), Sean Corcoran; Jamie Brady Hynes (0-2), Ruairi Corcoran (0-1), David Callaghan (1-0).

Subs:- Vinny Nally for J Brady Hynes (half-time); Paul Smyth (1-0) for R Corcoran (43 mins);  Daniel Lynch for J Shiels and Jordan Martin for H Kiernan (both 55 mins).

KENAGH: Cian Hughes; Cathal Higgins, James Higgins, Graham Forbes; Damien Higgins, Thomas McGann, Ollie Manser; Kevin Byrne, Daniel Galvin; Cormac McGann, Keelin McGann (0-1), Shane Doyle; Ronan Hughes, Josh Kelly (0-5, 2f, 1m), Aaron Kelly.

Subs:- Adam Curley for A Kelly (52 mins); Stephen McGinnity for K Byrne (55 mins).

Referee: Mark Glancy (Rathcline).