Longford SFC: Mostrim almost spring shock in making it difficult for title contenders Colmcille

A Barry McKeon goal with 10 minutes of normal time remaining charged Colmcille to a second victory in the Senior Football Championship in Ballybrien last Saturday evening.

Colmcille . . . 1-16    Mostrim . . . 0-14

Ger Carberry rested Declan Reilly and Cathal Reilly while Noel Farrell remained sidelined due to an injury picked up in their first round clash with Carrickedmond.

Carberry did have to introduce Cathal Reilly in the second half as they needed to pull back the half time deficit.

It was the first ever championship tie in Ballybrien and great credit must go to the Ballymore club for all their great work in recent years as the entire complex looked fantastic for the big game. The tight pitch though did undoubtedly suit the highly charged Mostrim side who had the aid of the breeze in the first half.

Ronan Courtney was most impressive for the Edgeworthstown outfit who had to field without Tiarnan Hussey after he retired injured in the opening round. Courtney fired over 3 two pointers in the first half as Jack Lynn's side built up a 6 point lead at the break, 10 points to 4.

Mostrim were hungry for breaks and turnovers aided by the width of the surface and they played direct ball into Courtney, Maitiu O Donohoe and the superb Jack Belton who pointed twice in a terrific display at full-forward.

Colmcille pointed 4 times in the first half through a brace of Eoin Hawkins frees and singles from Barry McKeon as well as man of the match Ruairi Harkin. Though, they would’ve been more than frustrated with their shooting and decision making against the breeze as they squandered numerous scoring chances with bad wides and the ball dropping short.

But credit must go to Mostrim who defended with fierce might throughout the match. Though, both sides would be disappointed in how they conceded scores through breaches of the new rules which resulted in two pointers.

Barry McKeon and Eoin Hawkins reduced the gap with frees on the turnover but Mostrim were keeping in front with important and timely scores through captain Dario Cigliano and minor Kaylem Lynn.

As he did in the opening round, captain Barry McKeon took the game by the scruff of the neck. He came out to midfield and was successful in winning a lot of primary possession including the breaking ball which started the move for the sole three pointer. McKeon claimed the break and combined with his brother Paul to go through and then finished with a top drawer goal to level the game.

Colmcille kicked on with a superb two pointer from play from Cathal Reilly from an outrageous distance and a first championship score from Luke Donnelly.

Paul McKeon made an encouraging return with a two pointer from play as Colmcille finished off in style to claim a 5 point win. Jack Macken was also back on the sidelines for Colmcille and we can look forward to seeing their 2022 championship winning captain in action soon.

COLMCILLE: Ryan Farrell; Colin Farley, Eoghan Williams, Conor Grant; Dylan McCabe, Ruairi Harkin (0-1), Martin Mulligan; Fergal Sheridan, Paul Farley; Sean Smith, Gerard Mulligan, Eoin Hawkins (0-5, 4f); Luke Donnelly (0-1), Ciaran McKeon, Barry McKeon (1-5, 2f).

Subs:- Cathal Reilly (0-2, two pointer), Keelan Hudson, Paul McKeon (0-2, two pointer).

 MOSTRIM: Caolan Hussey; Alex Nugent, Shane Campbell, Shane Sheridan; Shane Kiernan (0-2), Martin Coyle, Kaylem Lynn (0-1); Dario Cigliano (0-1), James Connell; Dylan Hutchinson, Thomas Doyle, Niall Quinn; Jack Belton (0-2), Maitiu O Donohoe (0-1), Ronan Courtney (0-7, 1 two pointer from play, 2 two pointer frees, 1f).

 Subs:- Adam Connaughton, Fintan Coyle.

Referee: Hugh O'Kane (Young Grattans).