Longford SFC: Jayson Matthews points the way as Mullinalaghta pip Granard for semi-final spot

Mullinalaghta St Columba’s . . . 1-15    St Mary’s Granard . . . 1-14

Boosted by the return of the McGivney brothers James and David, the vast experience of the Mullinalaghta team proved to be a vital factor in their slender one point win over St Mary’s Granard in a highly entertaining Senior Football Championship quarter-final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last.

While there was just no stopping the deadly accurate St Columba’s corner-forward Jayson Matthews who fired over the impressive total of 9 points (4 frees), the outstanding player on the pitch was the powerful St Mary’s midfielder Darren Gallagher who almost guided his side to a shock win in this pulsating battle.
In a cracking contest laced with some excellent scores, Granard gave it their best shot and the determined manner in which they recovered from the setback of conceding a gift goal in the early stages of the second half had to be greatly admired.
The always influential Cian Mackey pounced on a wayward kick-out to slot the ball into the net and St Mary’s were four points behind before they got right back into contention with a well-taken goal from substitute Paul Smyth in the 51st minute which was created by a tremendous catch by Gallagher.
That crucial score came after Jamie Brady Hynes converted a free and all of a sudden the sides were all square (1-12 to 1-12) in this exciting encounter.
A draw and a replay was looking like a strong possibility but a point apiece from David McGivney, James McGivney and the matchwinner Jayson Matthews got Mullinalaghta over the line and into a semi-final showdown against Colmcille in a couple of weeks time.
Ruairi Corcoran replied for St Mary’s and a long range point followed from Sean Corcoran in the second minute of stoppage time before referee Fergal Kelly blew the final whistle moments later, much to the sheer relief of St Columba’s.
After appealing his suspension and waiting on a hearing with the Leinster Council, James McGivney was able to line-out with Mullinalaghta and with his brother David after arriving home from his travels to Australia, it was looking good for the former Leinster club champions.
But gutsy Granard showed no fear and ended up leading by the minimum of margins at the break (0-7 to 0-6) with their fine scores coming from Harry Kiernan (2), Micheal Hynes (2), Sean Corcoran and Darren Gallagher (2).
Jayson Matthews accounted for five of the Mullinalaghta points (2 frees) in the first half while James McGivney was through for a goal chance but his shot was tipped over the bar in a good save by the St Mary’s keeper Thomas Gallagher in the 22nd minute.
Against the wind on the changeover, Granard made a strong start with a score apiece from Jamie Brady Hynes (mark) and Jordan Shiels but Mullinalaghta came storming back to register 1-2 in quick succession, the points coming from a brace of frees from Matthews before the Mackey goal in the 39th minute.
That left St Columba’s leading by 1-8 to 0-9 and it was a real ding-dong battle for the remainder of the match.
Mullinalaghta upped the tempo to shoot another seven points with Aidan McElligott and Connor Leonard also getting their names on the scoresheet while Granard registered a further 1-5 to remain in contention and could have earned a deserved draw.
Jayson Matthews had a great chance of putting the issue beyond all doubt late in the game but his goal attempt in the 58th minute was blocked by David Callaghan in a tense finish.

MULLINALAGHTA ST COLUMBA’S: Patrick Rogers; Simon Cadam, Patrick Fox, Tom Meehan; Michael Cunningham, Connor Leonard (0-1), Donal McElligott; Niall Woods, David McGivney (0-1); Gary Rogers, Shane Mulligan, Cian Mackey (1-1); Jayson Matthews (0-9, 4 frees), Aidan McElligott (0-1), James McGivney (0-2).

Sub:- Emmet Brady for M Cunningham (43 mins). 

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

Sub:- Paul Smyth (1-0) for C Martin (38 mins). 

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Ballymahon). 

Peter Hanley Motors SFC semi-finals 

Killoe Emmet Og v Abbeylara

Colmcille v Mullinalaghta St Columba’s 

Games to be played on Saturday/Sunday September 28/29    

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