Longford JFC Final: Grattans look too strong for the Slashers second string!

Relegated from the Intermediate grade last year, the solely Junior club look too strong for parish rivals Longford Slashers in a repeat of the 2013 county final which finished in a comprehensive 2-13 to 0-8 success for Grattans.

With injury ruling out the influential Murray brothers Karl and Reuben for some of the games, qualifying from the group stage proved to be quite a struggle for the Stonepark side who had to beat Legan Sarsfields in the remaining round-robin fixture to make it through to the semi-finals. 

The pressure was on the players and their manager Niall Vance but the former Dromard footballer plotted the downfall of the only other solely Junior club in the Tier 3 championship.

Out went Legan as Grattans advanced to the last four and a subsequent showdown against a fairly well fancied Colmcille second string. 

But there was no need for their vociferous supporters to get worried as Grattans cruised to a comfortable 2-10 to 0-8 win with John Hand and Harry Mulvihill (direct from a free) scoring the crucial goals.

 Key attackers Mulvihill and Hand clocked up a total of 2-6 between them against Colmcille and will pose the biggest threat for the Slashers second string while the Grattans defence is splendidly marshalled by James Moran.

The Nerney brothers Niall and Tadhg can also play a prominent role in the quest for championship glory and it will be a big surprise if Grattans fail to claim the Junior ‘A’ crown for the second time in the space of three years.

Slashers were not expected to get past Killoe in the semi-final but showed a lot of spirit and character to come out on top by a single point (1-10 to 1-9) with towering full-forward Ryan McGoey scoring the goal.

The main man for the townies is unquestionably their captain and prolific centre-half-forward Diarmuid Sheahan who fired over the impressive haul of 8 points (5 frees) against Emmet Og and Slashers will be quietly confident of causing another upset against Grattans in this intriguing local derby.

Diarmuid Caslin can also make his presence felt at centre-half-back alongside Micheal Mulcahy but missing from this effective defensive department will be Darryl Swaris who is currently suspended after receiving a red card in stoppage time against Killoe. 

The Slashers management team of Derek Swaris and Niall Caslin, with a helping hand from Conor Clarke, are only too well aware that their charges are facing a very tough task in the title decider at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday (throw-in 1.45pm) but the underdogs will give it their best shot as the town club bid for a first Junior ‘A’ Championship triumph since 2014. 

Prediction: Young Grattans