Killoe triumph in action packed Longford Junior ‘A’ Championship decider

Killoe claimed their 6th Junior Championship after a titanic tussle with neighbours Clonguish in a most entertaining curtain raiser to the senior final on Sunday.

Killoe Emmet Og . . . 1-17   Clonguish . . . 0-18  

Killoe and Clonguish played out undoubtedly the game of the weekend for those who camped out in Pearse Park for the entirety of the weekend’s action. The game was played at a great pace helped by the officiating of Ballymahon’s Michael Farrell and the crowd really got into the football on display.

Killoe and Clonguish last played each other in the 2018 final where Killoe claimed their most recent Junior title in a 4 point victory. Gary Connell, Niall Finneran, Eugene Clarke were the only 3 remaining in the side from that victory whilst Clonguish welcomed back James Tormey, Anthony Watters, Eimhin Glacken, Benny Devine, Michael McCann, Liam Sheridan and Niall O’Reilly.

 Seven years later, O’Reilly was the star forward on show with 9 points (4 two-pointers) to his name as Clonguish produced a terrific comeback from a 9-point deficit but just as in 2018 a sole goal which fell Killoe’s way was the difference in the end with Gerard Keogh finishing the ball to the net following a scramble midway through the second half. 

KILLOE EMMET OG: Oisin McManus; Niall Macken, Gary Connell, Shane Clarke; Paul Eivers, Killian Feeney (0-1), David Moorehead (0-1); Mark Rowley (0-2), Paddy Thompson; Niall Finneran, Gerard Keogh (1-1), Jack Fitzpatrick (0-3, 1 two-pointer); Cormac Harte (0-2), Eugene Clarke (0-1, f), Shane Dooner (0-4, 2f). 

Subs:- Conor Doherty (0-2) for E Clarke (37 mins); Enda Quinn for M Rowley (46 mins); Francis Rowley for D Moorehead (50 mins); M  Rowley for C Harte (55 mins); David Mimnagh for J  Fitzpatrick (first minute of stoppage time). 

CLONGUISH: James Tormey; Michael McCann, Adam Shields, Brendan Devine; Ryan McHugh, Cormac Flynn, Darragh McLoughlin; Packie Molloy, Dan Crossan; Darran Quinn (0-2), Niall O’ Reilly (0-9, 4 two-pointers, 3 frees, 1 play), Michael Glennon (0-1); Eimhin Glacken (0-3, 1 two-pointer), Josh Sorohan (0-1), Aidan O’Ceallaigh. 

Subs:- Anthony Watters for Adam Shields (injured, 34 mins), David Barden (0-2, 1f) for D Quinn (injured, 34 mins), Liam Sheridan for A O’Ceallaigh (37 mins), Robert Smith for D McLoughlin (42 mins), Josh Marsh for J Sorohan (56 mins).

Referee: Michael Farrell (Ballymahon).