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. 

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 the Wicklow reps 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.  

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).