Gutsy Longford hurlers run Sligo close in league decider

The Longford senior hurlers came up just short against a stronger Sligo side in a most entertaining National Hurling League Division 4 final at Markievicz Park on Saturday.

Sligo . . . 2-21   Longford . . . 4-12

It was the second meeting between the sides in successive weeks, with last weekend’s Round 7 clash serving only to decide home advantage for the final after both counties had already secured promotion. On that occasion, the Connacht men ran out convincing 4-25 to 3-11 winners but it was a lot closer in the match that really mattered. 

Easkey man Andrew Kilcullen was superb for Sligo, ending up with a handsome tally of 1-8 to his name and being a constant menace while Longford's Reuben Murray scored a haul of 1-6.

Longford made a bright start, with Murray opening the scoring from an early free, though that effort was quickly cancelled out by Paul O’Brien with a well-taken point from play.

Sean Tiernan and Andrew Kilcullen then traded scores, as did Adam Quinn and Thomas Cawley, in a cagey opening ten minutes that left the sides level at 0-3 apiece by the eleventh minute.

However, Sligo seized control during the next quarter, hitting 1-4 without reply in a dominant spell that swung the momentum firmly in their favour as heavy wind and rain swept across Markievicz Park.

 Points from Kilcullen, Gerard O’Kelly Lynch and Thomas Cawley helped stretch the hosts’ advantage to four before O’Kelly Lynch raised the first green flag of the afternoon, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the square to fire home and give Sligo a seven-point lead.

Diarmuid Cahill’s side responded well before the break and began to close the gap. Martin Farrell struck from play to end Longford's 17 minute scoring drought before Cathal Mullane finished clinically to the net five minutes before half-time to reduce the deficit to three. Farrell added another point from a free shortly afterwards, leaving just two between the teams at the break, 1-7 to 1-5.

Sligo made the perfect start to the second half with Robert O’Kelly Lynch pointing inside twenty seconds of the restart to restore their goal advantage. However, Longford responded immediately. From the resulting puck-out, Micheal Mulcahy finished a sweeping move to the net to level matters at 1-8 to 2-5.

Kilcullen and O’Kelly Lynch responded with points for the home side but Reuben Murray and Ronan Courtney replied in kind to leave the sides level once again at 1-10 to 2-7 by the 40th  minute. Thomas Cawley briefly edged Sligo back in front before Murray converted another free to keep the contest finely balanced at 1-11 to 2-8.

The decisive spell followed shortly afterwards, with Kilcullen taking centre stage. The Sligo talisman struck 1-3 in a devastating three-minute burst, landing three excellent points before finishing clinically to the bottom corner of the net after turning his marker to push his side  into a 2-13 to 2-8 lead.

Longford attempted to steady themselves, with Mullane converting a superb line ball, but Kilcullen continued to influence proceedings with two further points from play. Scores from Robert O’Kelly Lynch and Rory McHugh extended Sligo’s advantage further, although Longford  responded with points from Reuben Muarry and Sean Tiernan to keep in touch.

Late scores from Thomas and Finian Cawley stretched the Sigo lead to eight as the game entered stoppage time before substitute Conor Hannify added another point to leave nine between the sides.

There was still time for late drama, however. Micheal Mulcahy struck his second goal of the game just a minute into added time, and moments later Reuben Murray also found the net to reduce the deficit to three. Despite the late surge, Sligo held firm to secure their third Division 4 title.

For Diarmuid Cahill and his players, however, it has still been an excellent league campaign. Promotion secured, Longford can now look forward to Division 3 hurling in 2027. More immediately, attention turns to the visit of Lancashire on Saturday week in the opening round of the Lory Meagher Cup.

Sligo Scorers: Andrew Kilcullen 1-8 (3f), Thomas Cawley 0-5, Gerard O’Kelly Lynch 1-1, Robert O’Kelly Lynch 0-3, Paul O’Brien 0-1, Robert McHugh 0-1, Conor Hannify 0-1, Finnian Cawley 0-1.

SLIGO: Luke Comerford; Fionn Connolly, James Weir, Hugh Rooney; Paul O’Brien, Rory McHugh, Gavin Connolly; Robert O’Kelly Lynch, Niall Kilcullen; Daniel Rolston, Ronan Molloy, Kevin O’Kennedy; Gerard O’Kelly Lynch, Andrew Kilcullen, Thomas Cawley.

Subs:- Marc Harkin for  Rooney (44 mins), Fintan Cawley for Kilcullen (52 mins), Conor Hanniffy for Rolston (57 mins), Donal Hanley for O’Kennedy (63 mins). 

Longford Scorers: Reuben Murray 1-6 (5f), Micheal Mulcahy 2-0, Cathal Mullane 1-1, Martin Farrell 0-2 (1f), Sean Tiernan 0-1, Adam Quinn 0-1, Ronan Courtney 0-1. 

LONGFORD: Johnny Maher (Kilmacud Crokes); James Connell (Mostrim), Sean Lancaster (Castlepollard), Ciaran McNally (Mostrim); Diarmuid Caslin (Longford Slashers), Martin Farrell (Blackrock, Limerick), Johnny Casey (St Brigid’s Killashee); Reuben Murray (Young Grattans), Adam Quinn (Carrickredmond); Cathal Mullane (Mostrim), Ronan Courtney (Mostrim), Maitiu O’Donohoe (Mostrim); Micheal Mulcahy (Longford Slashers), Dan Crossan (Clonguish), Sean Tiernan (Longford Slashers). 

Subs:- Kealan Cox (Longford Slashers)  for Diarmuid Caslin (51 mins), Paddy Lynam (St Oliver Plunketts, Mullingar) for O’Donohoe (55 mins) Stephen Murray (Longford Slashers) for Courtney (70 mins).

Referee: Adam Kinahan (Offaly).