History makers Clonguish win the Longford Minor A title for a magnificent fifth consecutive season

Just a solitary point (0-5 to 0-4) separated the sides at the break but Clonguish Og produced a powerful second half performance to retain the Harte Cup and thus complete a record five-in-a-row of Minor ‘A’ championship titles at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last.

Clonguish Og . . . 1-14    Western Gaels . . . 1-4 

It was a spirited display by Western Gaels, the Grattans and Rathcline amalgamation, to spring a shock before Clonguish took control on the changeover with a goal from Michael Gacquin proving to be a decisive score.   

James Hagan (Clonguish Óg) and Troy Tiernan (Western Gaels) were the standout players in the first half. Hagan kicked 4 out of his side’s 5 points (2 frees) along with a James Flynn point to give Clonguish the minimum lead at the break. 

The impressive Tiernan kicked all 4 points (including 1 two pointer from play) for his side in the first half to set up a second half where it was all to play for. .

It was a much quicker start to the second half as Alan Mimnagh put his side two in front with a point with less than 2 minutes gone. Western Gaels went straight up the other end and rattled the net through Troy Tiernan to put them 1 point ahead.

That was a wake up call for Clonguish and they dominated the remainder of the match. 3 points from James Hagan and 2 points from James Flynn put Clonguish cruising into the lead just before Michael Gacquin buried the ball past the opposing keeper Euan Cullen to leave the hot favourites in a commanding 1-11 to 1-4 advantage. 

Further points from Ruairi Flynn, Alan Mimnagh and man of the match James Hagan  (who ended up with a total of 0-8) to clinch a  historic success in the ‘A’ grade.

 CLONGUISH OG: John Mimnagh, Sam Elliot, Cathal Lynch, Sean Hagan, Michael Gacquin (1-0), Mark Cooney, Eoghan Kiernan, Cormac Flynn (Kilmore), Mikie Glennon, Alan Mimnagh (0-2), James Flynn (0-3), Ruairí Flynn (0-1), Éanna Madden, James Hagan (0-8, 3 frees), Peter Toher.

Subs used: Senan Buckley for E Madden (half-time), Josh Marsh for P Toher (45 mins), Donncha O’Malley for J Flynn (58 mins), Geordan Toher for R Flynn (stoppage time)

WESTERN GAELS: Euan Cullen, Eoghan Mulhall, Ronan Cox, Mikey Sorohan, Conn Maxwell, Conor McHugh, Diarmuid Nerney, Jack Finnegan, Peter Farrell, Shane Gavigan, Troy Tiernan (1-4), Ben Murphy, Rian Hogan, Tadhg Tiernan, Oisin McHugh.

Subs used: Billy Murray for E Mulhall (48 mins), Alfie Murphy for R Cox (50 mins), Wesley Hughes for D Nerney (55 mins), Graham McDonagh-Reilly for M Sorohan (59 mins). 

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