Longford IFC Final: Sean Connolly’s given a hesitant vote to overcome Fr Manning Gaels

The same must be said about Fr Manning Gaels who let the title slip from their grasp in the 2022 Hennessy Cup decider as Ballymahon snatched a dramatic success with Thomas Mulvihill scoring a sensational winning goal in the third minute of stoppage time.

That was a shattering blow and while it has been tough for Connolly’s and the Gaels in the Intermediate grade for the past couple of years, something has got to give on this occasion as one of those clubs will be in a glorious mood on Saturday. 

The Drumlish/Ballinamuck outfit emerged victorious in 2019 (beating Ballymahon in the final) and the former senior kings will be hoping to be crowned the Tier 2 county champions for the fourth time with their other Intermediate triumphs materialising in 1975 and 1973, the latter in the amalgamation with Mullinalaghta.

 It has been a long barren spell for the Connolly’s who have to go back 35 years for their previous success in the Intermediate grade.

 Winners of back-to-back titles in 1988 and 1989 when the Liam Hastings Cup (the trophy then) was won, the Ballinalee club reached a new high when they made it through to the 1992 Senior Championship decider but had to settle for second best against Mostrim who scored a comprehensive 3-9 to 1-7 victory.

 It was a gradual decline for Connolly’s thereafter in dropping back down into the Intermediate ranks but they have been knocking at the door in the recent past.

Losing by the heartbreaking margin of just a single point in the county finals in 2014 (v Carrickedmond) and 2017 (v Rathcline following a replay) was hard to take and the jink struck again last season after surrendering a six-point lead against Kenagh.

Connolly’s have never lifted the Gerry Hennessy Cup (in memory of one of their former players) and nothing will give them greater satisfaction if they can get over the line in the match that really matters.

With both clubs already qualified for the quarter-finals, there was little at stake for the clash against the Gaels in the remaining round-robin fixture in the group stage of the current championship campaign with the unbeaten Connolly’s clinching top spot courtesy of a comfortable 1-14 to 1-7 win.

  The Gaels also lost against St Brigid’s Killashee in the opening round which was a surprise result, to say the least, while they were extremely fortunate to overcome Cashel by a single point and this inconsistent form is clearly a cause for concern for their manager Niall Sheridan.

The former Abbeylara and Longford star does not need to be told that his defence need to be a lot tighter after conceding a couple of goals in the first half against Ballymore in the semi-final and it could have been more.

  Having said that, their sharp attack were in excellent form and with prolific forwards in Conor Keenan, Pauric Gill and the Cassidy brothers Cian and Martin the boys from Drumlish and Ballinamuck will feel they have the firepower to shoot down the Connolly’s.

 Using his quick pace to fine effect, Keenan was particularly impressive in the 0-17 to 2-6 win over Ballymore in kicking six points (all from play) while there was no stopping Gill (0-4) when he clicked into top gear.

 Just one of the Gaels scores came from a free and while they will be approaching the final in a fairly confident frame of mind, Connolly’s would appear to be the better balanced team with the deadly duo of attackers Dessie and Daniel Reynolds leading the charge for a long overdue championship success.

The county regulars clocked up a total of a goal and eight points between them in the 1-14 to 1-7 win over Killashee in the other semi-final but the usual jitters began to emerge in the second half and that must be a worry for the Connolly’s manager Michael Lynch whose son Dylan is another key player.

Commanding midfielder Daire Duggan along with defenders Sean O’Sullivan and Ronan McGreal, not forgetting the valuable asset of Dan Farrell in the forward division, are also capable of making a big impact and there are many who believe that the time has come for Connolly’s to complete the job?

Whether that happens to be the case remains to be seen and the nerves will be on edge with both finalists on the road to redemption!

Apart from the major silverware on offer, the other reward is a return to the senior championship next year and Connolly’s are given a hesitant vote to come out on top in their quest to capture the Intermediate title for the fourth time. 

Prediction: Sean Connolly’s