Longford SFC: Killoe gradually assert superiority to master Mullinalaghta

Trailing by 0-10 to 0-8 at the break, Killoe gradually asserted their superiority to master Mullinalaghta in the Senior Football Championship quarter-final in the extremely difficult wet conditions at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday and now meet Rathcline for a place in the county final on October 12th.  

Killoe Emmet Og . . . 2-18    Mullinalaghta St Columba’s . . . 0-16

Aided by the stiff wind in the second half, a well-taken goal from Mark Hughes in the 38th minute was a big boost for Emmet Og who hit the front at this stage of the game and they made absolutely certain of the victory when the ever dangerous full-forward Paddy Moran burst through to blast the ball to the net in the closing stages of the contest.

With influential substitute Paddy Kiernan landing a brace of two pointers from play, the gap opened up for Killoe who won with some comfort in the finish with the prominent Moran brothers Paddy, Larry and James clocking up a total of  1-8 between them.

This was always going to be a real uphill battle for St Columba’s who led by 0-6 to 0-2 midday through the first half with Jayson Matthews firing over three of the points (1 mark) but the outsiders suffered a severe setback when their vastly experienced full-back Paddy Fox was forced to retire injured with 19 minutes gone in the first half. 

Two-pointers from play by James and David McGivney approaching half-time gave Mullinalaghta a glimmer of hope but they eventually ran out of steam on the changeover as Killoe increased the tempo in adding 2-10 to their impressive tally and showed some steel in the process.

KILLOE EMMET OG: Micheal Hughes; Liam Hughes, Darren Moffett, Gavin Farrelly (0-1); James Moran (0-3, two-pointer from play), Niall Farrelly, Ryan Moffett; Mickey Quinn (0-1), Ronan Keogh; Cian Farrelly (0-1), Danny Mimnagh, Eamon Keogh (0-2); Larry Moran (0-2), Paddy Moran (1-3, 1 free), Mark Hughes (1-1).

Subs:- Paddy Kiernan (0-4, brace of two-pointers from play) for C Farrelly (44 mins); Conor Mulligan for E Keogh (45 mins); Ronan McGoldrick for L Moran (58 mins); Shane Donohoe for M Quinn (58 mins).

MULLINALAGHTA ST COLUMBA’S: Patrick Rogers; James Rogers, Paddy Fox, Conan Brady; Shane Mulligan (0-1), Donal McElligott, Gary Rogers; Connor Leonard, Aidan McElligott; Mick Cunningham, David McGivney (0-6, all two pointers (2 frees, 1 play), Cian McElligott (0-1); Jayson Matthews (0-3, 1 mark), James McGivney (0-3, 1 two-pointer from play), Cian Mackey (0-1).

Subs:- Francis Mulligan for P Fox (injured, 19 mins); Emmet Brady (0-1) for C Brady (half-time); Simon Cadam for J Rogers (53 mins); Conor McElligott for A McElligott (56 mins). 

Referee: Donal Kane (Young Grattans).