Longford SFC: Barry McKeon goal the matchwinner as Colmcille knock Clonguish out

Colmcille . . . 1-7 Clonguish . . . 0-8

The 2022 county senior champions Colmcille are just one step away from making another final appearance after knocking a much fancied Clonguish side out of the Connolly Cup in a tame quarter-final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday evening last. 

A well-taken goal from Barry McKeon, created by his brother Paul, in the early stages of the second half proved to be the matchwinner for Ger Carberry’s committed charges who were full value for the victory.
It was a disappointing exit for Clonguish who made poor use of the wind advantage in the first half and had to be content with a slender 0-5 to 0-4 lead at the break.
Much was expected of last year’s beaten finalists in the current championship campaign but it has been a struggle this season.
All Clonguish could manage in the second half was three more points, the last of which came from a free converted by Matthew Carey in the 41st minute, and Colmcille could sense that the game was there for the taking.
The North Longford club added another 1-3 to their tally in the second half to emerge victorious despite the reduction to 14 players when Barry McKeon was sent-off for a second yellow card in the 56th minute.
The Colmcille management team got their tactics right in crowding out the Clonguish dangermen Jack Duggan and Matthew Carey who were extremely tightly marked with Enda Macken, Ruairi Harkin and the ageless general Declan Reilly producing commanding displays to contain this double threat.
Nothing of any real note happened in a scrappy first half and lethargic Clonguish were particularly slow to settle in the windy conditions.
Having said that, they gradually got going to lead by 0-4 to 0-2 with the scores coming from Carey (free), Jamie Dorr and a brace (free and play) from the elusive Michael Flynn who was posing problems for the packed opposing defence.
Fergal Sheridan and Jack Macken (free) replied for Colmcille who added another couple of points (frees) to their tally through Macken and the prominent Paul McKeon while Harkin had a goal attempt well blocked by Peter Hanley in the 23rd minute.
After working hard to win the ball in a turnover, Cormac Flynn set up Matthew Carey for a fine point that left Clonguish in a slender lead going into the second half and the advantage was extended (0-6 to 0-4) when centre-half-back Andrew Flynn (recovered from a recent injury) shot over the bar.
Then came the crucial goal from Barry McKeon who made no mistake and moments later Paul McKeon shot wide when in a great position to plant the ball in the back of the net.
A lucky escape for Clonguish but they battled back to regain the lead with a point apiece from competent defender Josh Sorohan and Matthew Carey (free).

That was as good as it got for the 2023 SFC runners-up who failed to register another score during the remainder of the match with Colmcille tacking on three more points through Jack Macken (2 frees) and Ruairi Harkin to clinch the win and almost scored a second goal when a close range shot from Fergal Sheridan hit the post in the 59th minute.

COLMCILLE: Noel Farrell; Gerard Mulligan, Enda Macken, Conor Grant; Ruairi Harkin (0-1), Declan Reilly, Dylan McCabe; Vinny Hourican, Fergal Sheridan (0-1); Martin Mulligan, Jack Macken (0-4, all frees), Cathal McCabe; Cathal Reilly, Paul McKeon (0-1, free), Barry McKeon (1-0).

Subs:- Philip McKeon for M Mulligan (45 mins); Shea Farley for C McCabe (injured, 45 mins); Eoin Hawkins for C Reilly (55 mins); Darren Mulligan for J Macken (fourth minute of stoppage time). 

CLONGUISH: Joe O’Brien; Conor Flynn, Conor Smith, Cian Sutton; Conor Shields, Andrew Flynn (0-1), Josh Sorohan (0-1); Jamie Dorr (0-1), Peter Hanley; Cormac Flynn, Chris Gordon, Matthew Flynn; Michael Flynn (0-2, 1 free), Matthew Carey (0-3, 2 frees), Jack Duggan.

Sub:- Kevin Burke for Conor Flynn (53 mins); David Barden (stoppage time).  

Referee: Patrick Maguire (St Mary’s Granard).