Rampant Clonguish complete fantastic four-in-a-row of Longford U-21 ‘A’ football titles

Building on a strong start which propelled them into a commanding 0-6 to 0-0 lead, there was no stopping rampant Clonguish who completed a fantastic four-in-a-row in the U-21 ‘A’ Football Championship. 

Clonguish . . . 5-24  Ballymahon/Forgney/Kenagh . . . 0-6

Things gradually went from bad to worse for the outclassed amalgamation in the county title decider at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last and it was all over as a contest at the break with the dominant boys in green cruising into a commanding 1-13 to 0-5 lead.
The impressive Daniel Carey got the vital touch to flick the ball to the net in the 17th minute and this was a killer blow for Ballymahon/Forgney/Kenagh who sorely missed key attacker, the injured Josh Kelly who was unable to feature in the final.
With the man of the match award winner Matthew Carey leading the charge in a lethal attack, Clonguish (managed by Derek Duggan) ran out very easy winners in the finish in adding another 4-11 to their most emphatic tally.
County senior regular Carey (a cracking strike), Michael Flynn, Jamie Dorr and James Hagan accounted for the Clonguish goals in the second half landslide.

In a repeat of last year's U-21 ‘A’ final when a flying start by the amalgamation made it a very close contest with just two points separating the sides in the end, the red-hot favourites Clonguish were never in any trouble on this occasion.
A terrific two-pointer from the boot of Jamie Dorr was the highlight of the early burst which also included scores from Matthew Flynn, Michael Flynn and a brace from Daniel Carey before a mini recovery materialised from the underdogs who sorely missed the attacking bite of Josh Kelly.
Jack Walshe (play) fired over the first score for the amalgamation in the 8th minute and a couple of more points (frees) followed from the Ballymahon ace to leave the scoreline at 0-6 to 0-3.
Back came Clonguish with a point apiece from James Hagan and Michael Flynn (free), followed by the decisive Daniel Carey goal as he connected with a high ball in from Ross Shields.
There was a glimmer of hope for Ballymahon/Forgney/Kenagh when Shane Quinn landed a sweetly struck two-pointer (play) in the 21st minute but that was as good as it got for the amalgamation who only managed one more point during the remainder of the match with Danny Ryan shooting over the bar in the 55th minute.
Clonguish clocked up another five points in the closing stages of the first half through different scorers with the Flynn brothers Cormac and Michael on target along with Jonathan Burke, Matthew Flynn and James Hagan.

That was game, set and match for the rampant reigning champions and 15 more scores were registered on the changeover with the 11 points coming from the Carey brothers Daniel and Matthew (two apiece), Michael Flynn (2 frees), Andrew Flynn, James Hagan (2) and substitute Conor Smith (2), the latter making a welcome return after recovering from a long term injury.

CLONGUISH: James Quinn; Alan Mimnagh, Conor Flynn, Cathal Lynch; Ross Shields, Andrew Flynn (0-1), Mark Cooney; Jonathan Burke (0-1), Matthew Carey (1-2); Jamie Dorr (1-2, two-pointer play), Matthew Flynn (0-2), Daniel Carey (1-4); Cormac Flynn (0-1), Michael Flynn (1-5, 3 frees), James Hagan (1-4).

Subs:- Conor Smith (0-2) for C Lynch (half-time); Cormac (Kilmore) Flynn for J Burke (injured, 40 mins); Dara Belton for A Mimnagh (45 mins); Dan Crossan for Cormac (K) Flynn (injured); Kieran McMorrow for Cormac Flynn (52 mins).  

BALLYMAHON/FORGNEY/KENAGH: Cathal Higgins; Chris Killian, Ronan Burke, Tadhg Ronayne; Harry Byrne, Shane Quinn (0-2, two-pointer play), Luke Quinn; Cormac McGann, Dan Galvin; Niall Curley, Danny Ryan (0-1), Ollie Manser; Jack Walshe (0-3, 2 frees), Steven Bawle, Clayton Melia.

Subs:- (all in the second half): Cian Hughes for C Higgins; Gavin Bawle for N Curley; Sean Carberry for C Melia; Ferdia Ginty for T Ronayne; Adam Pervical for S Bawle. 

Referee: David Reynolds (Killoe Emmet Og).