Longford IFC: Cashel clinch semi-final spot with a comfortable win over Kenagh

After gaining promotion to Division 1 of the Senior Football League with the Division 2 title triumph this season, Cashel clinched a place in the Intermediate Championship semi-finals with a comfortable win over Kenagh in the Group B clash at Leo Casey Park in Ballymahon on Thursday night. 

Cashel . . . 1-9     Kenagh . . . 1-3

A surprise inclusion on the Kenagh team was the returning Darren Carberry but there was nothing he could do as Kenagh (minus key defender Shane Farrell) crashed to a very disappointing defeat to end up in the relegation play-offs. 

Aided by the stiff wind, Cashel enjoyed a dominant spell that yielded 1-7 without reply between the 11th and 23rd minutes to establish a commanding advantage with  a sweetly struck two-pointer from Brian Kelly starting the ball rolling for the men in red and black.

The crucial goal was a real gift as a mistake created the opportunity for Padraic Syrom to finish the ball to the net. 

Another two-pointer followed from Conor Farrell and while Kenagh were given a glimmer of hope with a goal from Josh Kelly in the early stages of the second half, Cashel consolidated their tight grip on the game even though they were restricted to a point apiece from Syron and Andrew Farrell on the changeover. 

In a poor game that was littered with several missed chances with both sides guilty of chronic  finishing, Cashel manager Gary Kenny had to endure further frustration when Aidan Rowan failed to convert a penalty in the 55th minute after the Kenagh keeper Cian Hughes produced a fine save.

The losers entire tally of 1-3 was registered by Josh Kelly, with all the points coming from frees, and on the evidence of this dire display it is looking like a fierce battle to avoid the dreaded drop into the Junior grade next season. 

Cashel, on the other hand, are now focused on lifting the Gerry Hennessy Cup but will have to show considerable improvement in their quest for championship glory.    

CASHEL: Shane Bannon (0-1, ‘45); Luke O’Boyle, Mel Farrell, Aidan Mulvihill; Jamie Bermingham, Aidan Rowan, Jack Sweeney; Conor Farrell (0-2, two pointer), David Sweeney; Dan O’Shea, Andrew Farrell (0-1), Conor Murtagh (0-1, free); Padraic Syron (1-2, 1 free), Brian Kelly (0-2, two-pointer), Rian O’Boyle.

Subs:- Paddy Dowd for R O’Boyle (51 mins); Ronan Farrell for P Syron (53 mins); James Skelly for J Bermingham (53 mins); Steven Weafer for A Rowan (60 mins).

KENAGH: Cian Hughes; Damien Higgins, Graham Forbes, Harry Byrne; Cathal Higgins, James Higgins, Shea Carberry; Alan Jones, Daniel Galvin; Ollie Manser, Cormac McGann, Ronan Farrell; Darren Carberry, Josh Kelly (1-3, 3 frees), Keelin McGann.

Subs:- Thomas McGann for D Carberry (half-time); Jamie Byrne for D Galvin (40 mins); Gavin Bawle for S Carberry (42 mins); Adam Percival for O Manser (48 mins).

Referee: David Donohoe (Mullinalaghta St Columba’s).