Longford Slashers seek Leinster hurling success

Saturday is a major occasion in the history of Longford Slashers hurling club when they take on the Europe champions Amsterdam in the Special Leinster Junior title decider at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, throw-in 1.30pm.

While home advantage is a boost, injuries are hitting Slashers hard with Karl Murray and Micheal Mulcahy (long term) and Niall Hawes (illness) all ruled out while Harry Mulvihill is also on the casualty list and is a doubtful starter in the big match. 

A straight red card for experienced player David Buckley against Aughrim means he will be suspended for the provincial final unless his appeal is successful and the Longford senior champions could be hard pressed to come out on top against the physically strong Amsterdam outfit.

 The Dutch based club showed a lot of bottle in coming from behind to beat Rathmoylan (Meath) by a couple of points in the semi-final of the tournament confined to four teams but little is known about the exiles. 

Wolfe Tones Mostrim were the last Longford club to reach the special provincial junior hurling final back in 2014 when they lost against Clara (Offaly) and Slashers will be hoping to go one step further with well established county hurlers Reuben Murray and Johnny Casey leading the charge in the quest for Leinster glory.  

On the basis of their excellent win over the Wicklow Intermediate champions Aughrim in the semi-final, the Longford hurling kings have the potential to emerge victorious but will need to be at their best.