Longford Slashers withstand Wolfe Tones comeback to win the county senior hurling title for the 13th time

With their fine blend of youth and experience, Longford Slashers were crowned the county senior hurling champions for the first since 2021 when they withstood a gallant comeback from the title holders Wolfe Tones in a hard fought final replay at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday last.  

Longford Slashers . . . 1-16   Wolfe Tones Mostrim . . . 0-15

The prominent Micheal Mulcahy scored the decisive only goal after racing through to plant a well struck shot into the back of the Mostrim net in the 10th minute of the first half and the sky-blues had built up a comfortable 1-9 to 0-5 advantage at the break.

While Slashers never really looked like letting the title slip from their grasp and extended the lead to nine points in the early stages of the second half, Wolfe Tones then fired over five scores in a row through first half substitute Cathal Mullane (3) and the lively Dylan Hutchinson (2).
The fear of losing the previous three finals was beginning to creep into the minds of the Slashers players and just the goal separated the sides when Evan Tully landed a terrific long range point in the third minute of stoppage time.
While Wolfe Tones tried to engineer a dramatic last gasp equalising goal, the Slashers defence stood firm under pressure and a dangerous situation was dealt with before the gutsy Mulcahy won possession at the back in breaking out to create a counter-attack
Substitute Stephen Murray played the perfect pass into the path of Reuben Murray and the effective forward fired over his eighth point (4 frees) to clinch a deserved Duignan Cup triumph and a home game against Aughrim (Wicklow) in the semi-final of the Special Leinster Junior competition on November 8th.
The winner of the Sean McNally Memorial Man of the Match Award was one of the young guns on the Slashers side, resilient defender John Murray, in what was a solid all-round team performance by the Robbie Stakelum managed outfit.
It was a 13th senior hurling championship success for Slashers with resolute defender Kealan Cox showing the sort of spirit that was required to succeed at the second attempt as lessons were learned from the drawn encounter a couple of weeks earlier,
This was a much better first half display with the solo goal from Micheal Mulcahy proving to be a major boost in the eventual outcome with Sean Tiernan landing the opening score with a minute gone on the clock.
Four of the other first half points were registered by Reuben Murray (two frees) with Mulcahy, Niall Hawes, Johnny Casey and Tiernan also on target while Ronan Courtney, Maitiu O’Donohoe (2), Evan Tully (free) and Killian Courtney replied for Wolfe Tones.
A goal chance was created for Tully midway through the first half but he shot into the sidenetting and while Slashers failed to convert a penalty with a couple of minutes gone on the changeover when the puck from David Buckley was well saved by the opposing keeper Micheal Savage, a quick reaction from Casey yielded a point in this same attack.
Reuben Murray then landed a cracking long strike from play and there appeared to be no way for Edgeworthstown who suffered a significant setback when full-forward Ronan Courtney was forced to retire injured in the 40th minute.
A point apiece were then exchanged between Tully (free) and Hawes but Wolfe Tones never gave up the fight in outscoring the opposition 0-9 to 0-4 during the remainder of the match.
That was putting it up to Slashers but they had enough left in the tank to come out on top. The prolific Reuben Murray accounted for three of the Slashers points (2 frees) with David Buckley also getting his name on the scoresheet after executing a turnover.
Mullane (including a ‘65) and Hutchinson accounted for eight of the Wolfe Tones points (four apiece) with Evan Tully also on target with the full-time whistle approaching but it was too late to salvage the situation as Slashers stuck it out to take the county hurling title.

 LONGFORD SLASHERS: Adam Murray; Kealan Cox, Stephen Oates, Ronan Kelly; John Murray, Daire Regan, Diarmuid Caslin; Johnny Casey (0-2), Harry Mulvihill; Darragh Caslin, Sean Tiernan (0-2), Reuben Murray (0-8, 4 frees); Micheal Mulcahy (1-1), David Buckley (0-1), Niall Hawes (0-2).

Subs:- Matthew Hawes for N Hawes (56 mins); Finn Neary for R Kelly (57 mins); Stephen Murray for Darragh Caslin (fourth minute of additional time).

WOLFE TONES MOSTRIM: Micheal Savage; Pierce McNally, Martin Coyle, Shane Fahy; Jack Belton, Adam Quinn, John Mulhern; James Connell, John Gaffney; Dylan Hutchinson (0-4), Evan Tully (0-3, 2 frees), Maitiu O’Donohoe (0-2); Liam Browne, Ronan Courtney (0-1), Killian Courtney (0-1). 

Subs:- Cathal Mullane (0-4, 2 frees, 1 ‘65) for L Browne (injured, 23 mins); Adam Connaughton for R Courtney (injured, 40 mins). 

Referee: James McGrath (Westmeath).