Cashel/Killashee come storming back to win the Longford U-21 ‘B’ title after extra-time

Southern Gaels . . . 1-14   Carrickedmond/Legan Sarsfields . . . 1-11

Trailing by four points against the wind and who were reduced to 14 players following a straight red card for Emmet Murtagh in the 47th minute, it looked all over for Southern Gaels but they then enjoyed a new lease of life to dominate the remainder of the match.

 It would probably have been a different story had Carrick/Sarsfields extended their advantage to five points (1-11 to 1-6) when Brian Mulvey suffered the misfortune of striking the upright from a free in the 52nd minute.

Gutsy Cashel/Killashee, inspired by the influential Ronan Kavanagh at centrefield, just refused to accept defeat and four points in a row from prominent attackers Paddy Mollaghan (3) and Jack Sweeney left the sides all square at the end of normal time. 

Prolific Paddy ended up with the tremendous total of 1-8 to his credit and while Carrick/Legan were unlucky not to score a goal in the early stages of extra-time when a dipping shot from Cormac Mulvey hit the crossbar, an immediate counter attack almost yielded a green flag from a Mollaghan shot that drifted narrowly wide.  

Revitalised Cashel/Killashee outscored the stunned opposition 0-4 to 0-1 in the additional period with a cracking point from rock solid corner-back Paddy Clancy giving his side the lead they subsequently never surrendered.  

Most impressive for Carrick/Legan was full-forward Shane Burke who scored 1-5 with the goal coming in the 8th minute to leave his team leading by 1-2 to 0-1 and apparently in a strong position against the wind.  

But Cashel/Killashee got right back in contention with a goal from a disputed penalty that was converted by Paddy Mollaghan and they ended up on level terms at the break, 1-5 apiece.

Mollaghan also fired over three points (mark, play and free) with Emmet Murtagh and Conor Murtagh the others on target for Southern Gaels.

Brian Mulvey converted three frees for Carrick/Legan who made a positive start to the second half with further scores from Ross Doherty and Shane Burke (two frees). 

Cashel/Killashee were on the ropes but managed to avoid a knock-out blow despite the concession of further points from Mulvey (free) and John McCormack (a tremendous effort).  

The best Southern Gaels could manage during this period of the game was a point from a Paddy Mollaghan free in the 48th minute but four scores in a row followed in a fantastic recovery despite the numerical disadvantage. 

 And so extra-time was required to resolve the issue and it was Southern Gaels who pushed on to emerge victorious thanks to scores from Mollaghan, Paddy Clancy, Sweeney and Rian O’Boyle.

SOUTHERN GAELS (Cashel/Killashee): Barry Geraghty; Aidan Mulvihill, Oran Killian, Paddy Clancy (0-1); Tommy Killian, Luke O’Boyle, Dan O’Shea; Ronan Kavanagh, Conor Clancy; Rian O’Boyle (0-1), Cian Clancy, Conor Murtagh (0-1); Paddy Mollaghan (1-8, goal from penalty, 4 frees, 1 mark), Jack McWeeney, Emmet Murtagh (0-1).

Subs:- Jack Sweeney (0-2) for J McWeeney (18 mins); Jack Brogan for R O’Boyle (40 mins); J McWeeney for Cian Clancy (40 mins).

Extra-time: R O’Boyle (0-1) for T Killian (9 mins); Cian Clancy for J Brogan (9 mins); T Killian for C Murtagh (13 mins). 

CARRICKEDMOND/LEGAN: Darragh Egan; Fionn Morgan, Conor Mulvey, Eoin Kiernan; Sean Egan, Cormac Egan, Shaun McGrath; Sean Mulvey, Liam Glennon; John McCormack (0-1), Ross Doherty (0-1), Pauric Dempsey; Daniel Egan, Shane Burke (1-5, 2 frees), Brian Mulvey (0-4, all frees).  

Subs:- Cormac Mulvey for D Egan (35 mins); Darragh Mulligan for S McGrath (43 mins). 

Extra-time: Cathal Matthews for L Glennon (1 mins); Jamie Teague for J McCormack (15 mins). 

Referee: Mark Glancy (Rathcline).