Longford SFC: Clonguish rattle Rathcline to clinch top spot in the group stage

Clonguish confirmed their berth as championship favourites with a demolition of the previously unbeaten Rathcline in Páirc Chiaráin, Newtowncashel last Saturday evening.

Clonguish . . . 3-17   Rathcline . . . 1-8

Both sides fielded their strongest 15 in their attempt to garner the top spot in Group B of the Senior Football Championship but from early on the outcome was clear.

Jack Duggan returned to the middle of the park after a trial at full forward in the previous round but proved to be a scoring threat from deep and opened his side’s account with an outside of the boot effort.

Andrew Flynn travelled from centre-half-back next to double the lead before Matthew Carey registered his first two pointer free of the evening.

Oran Kenny has been one of the brightest forwards in the championship thus far and he opened the mark for Rathcline with a point from play. Clonguish management bestowed Longford’s Leinster Minor winning captain Mark Cooney with marking Rathcline’s dangerman in his first championship season. The young man impressed in this tough  task especially in the opening period when the game was still in contention.

Jack Duggan doubled his tally next before Michael Flynn’s free extended the lead to 5.

Captains collided at the edge of the square also where 2014 county minors Ronan Sweeney and Shane Kenny met in a skippers duel with the Clonguish full back holding Rathcline’s big man scoreless from play.

Kenny did fire over Rathcline’s next score off the deck to raise an orange flag. Though, Carey was on hand to match his effort with his second free. Cormac Flynn and Chris Gordon got their names on the scoresheet then before a Michael Flynn free gave Clonguish a 10 points to 3 half-time lead.

Clonguish Cormac Flynn was ready to pounce when Daithi Mulvihill failed to collect a Jack Duggan shot under the crossbar to raise the first green flag and open the floodgates. Carey followed up with two pointer frees and it must be said that Clonguish have a real knack of winning dead balls with clever forwards in the Flynn brothers especially. 

Substitute Kevin Baskett punched for a second goal at the back post after a good move involving Matthew Flynn and Peter Hanley. Jack Duggan in typical fashion turned on the afterburners to leave the Rathcline defence in his wake and rasped the ball into the top corner to give his side a staggering 19 point advantage.

Oran Kenny gave Gareth Johnston’s side some respite when he found the net after Shane’s initial effort was blocked. Oran showed excellent pace to fire over two further singles as the game petered out of contention with both sides emptying the bench.

Clonguish’s subs impressed with Daniel Carey and Kevin Burke joining Kevin Baskett on the scoresheet with single pointers and giving the management team something to think about for the knockout stages where they will meet old rivals Dromard in the quarter-final.

Rathcline notched the final score of the game with a two pointer free through Oran Kenny who sits as the top scorer of the championship and while they too fell to the sword of bookies favoured Clonguish, the Shannonsiders have already proved their worth and will remain quietly confident. 

CLONGUISH: Liam Casey, Ross Shields, Ronan Sweeney, Mark Cooney, Jonathan Burke, Andrew Flynn (0-1), Matthew Flynn, Peter Hanley, Jack Duggan (1-2), Chris Gordon (0-1), Matthew Carey (0-8, 4 two pointer frees), Jamie Dorr, Cormac Flynn (1-1), Michael Flynn (0-2, 2f), Jamie Hagan.

Subs:- Cian Sutton for Ross Shields (half-time), Kevin Baskett (1-0) for Cormac Flynn (36 mins), Daniel Carey (0-1) for Peter Hanley (42 mins), Kevin Burke (0-1, f) for James Hagan (52 mins).

RATHCLINE: David Mulvihill, Matthew Heneghan, Jakub Kajan, Kevin Tansey, Harvey Myhill, Iarla O’Sullivan, Seadhna Ryan, Michael Morrissey, Bryn Peters, Oisin Kenny, David Rooney, Kian Gilmore, Garth O’Reilly, Shane Kenny (0-2, 1 two pointer free), Oran Kenny (1-6, 1 two pointer free). 

Subs:- Shane Donohoe for Harvey Myhill (36 mins), James Carroll for Seadhna Ryan (36 mins), Chris Brady for Gareth O’Reilly (36 mins), Niall Keane for Iarla O’ Sullivan (41 mins, injured), Misko Kajan for Michael Morrissey (53 mins).

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Ballymahon).