Longford MFC: Paddy Mollaghan with 1-10 the shooting star for Southern Gaels

Southern Gaels (Cashel/Killashee) . . . 1-16   Longford Slashers . . . 0-9

Shooting star Paddy Mollaghan with the tremendous total of 1-10 (4 frees) to his credit was the major difference between the teams as Southern Gaels scored a comprehensive win over Longford Slashers in the Minor ‘B’ Football Championship Final at Emmet Park in Killoe on Tuesday evening. 

There was just no stopping the mighty Mollaghan from Clondra who tormented the opposing defence with his pace and power in attack and with influential midfielder Conor Murtagh also playing a prominent role, the physically stronger Cashel/Killashee amalgamation were in control.

Without their regular full-back Darryl Swaris who is currently suspended, Slashers were unfortunate in their search for a badly needed goal with Tommy Nolan hitting the post twice in the second half but can make no excuses for the defeat as Southern Gaels were undoubtedly the superior side. 

SOUTHERN GAELS: Logan Bermingham; Aidan Kelly, Paddy Clancy, Michael Reilly; Jack Beattie, Rian O’Boyle, Jack Brogan; Conor Murtagh (0-2), Jack McWeeney; Aidan Mollaghan (0-1), Thomas Killian (0-1, free), Fergal Murtagh; Emmet Murtagh (0-1), Paddy Mollaghan (1-10, 4 frees), Chris Martin.

Subs:- Ben O’Shea (0-1) for J McWeeney (injured, 35 mins); Dean Farrell for J Beattie (injured, 52 mins).

LONGFORD SLASHERS: Darragh Kelly; Ezekiel Dacosta, Liam Gorman, Francis Nwanko; Finn Neary, Zach Coyle, Olan Morgan (0-1); James Shannon, Domas Vilys; Tommy Nolan (0-1), Sean Tiernan (0-2), Diarmuid O’Brien (0-2, mark and free); Billy Maguire (0-2, 1 free), Davy O’Brien (0-1), Billy King. 

Subs:- Conor Tiernan for L Gorman (29 mins); Raphel Nowak for D Vilys (41 mins); Cathal Geraghty and D Vilys for T Nolan and Diarmuid O’Brien (58 mins). 

Referee: Gerard Egan (St Mary’s Granard).