Clonguish captain Ronan Sweeney vows they 'won’t be in awe' of favourites Killoe in Longford showdown

Ronan Sweeney is the Clonguish captain and it will be a proud day for him to lead his team out at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park for the Senior Football Championship Final against Killoe.

“Yes, it feels great, and I am really looking forward to it. We are delighted to have reached the final, it’s taken time to digest the semi-final victory over Dromard, and to realise that we are just one game away from the title.

“The last four years have been very difficult and we have been involved in relegation games, so this is extended bonus territory now this year.

“We probably didn’t expect to be anywhere near the final, we were just so happy to qualify for the quarter-finals, but as the games have gone on, we have grown in confidence and we are absolutely delighted to be in the final now.”

Sweeney reflected back on the period where they conceded 1-4 without reply against Dromard and stated that they still believed they could come back to win despite the three-point deficit so late in the game.

“It’s been the hallmark of the year, we have just tried to keep going to the final whistle and it shows a lot of resilience within the team, especially amongst the young lads who probably have not had the scar tissue of losing these big games before.

Longford SFC Final: Clonguish are rapidly rising but Killoe look to have the edge

Peter Hanley Motors Senior Football Championship Final on Sunday, throw-in 4pm

While the rapid rise of Clonguish is unquestionably the main talking point in a new twist for the honour of capturing the coveted Connolly Cup, their talented young team are now facing the toughest test in the title showdown against the favourites Killoe Emmet Og at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park this Sunday, throw-in 4pm.

“It’s about having belief and thankfully, we just about forced extra-time and then we just about got over the line at the end of extra-time. Semi-finals are all about winning, so we'll take it anyway we can get it.”

Matthew Carey was calm and composed when he equalised with that last kick of the game from a free to force the additional period but Ronan wasn’t surprised by the nerves of steel he displayed to keep Clonguish in the game.

“If Matthew was any more laid back now, he would be horizontal. There is nothing really that flusters the man, and he just follows his own routine with the place kicking, and we are just very happy to have an excellent free-taker like Matthew.”

Looking ahead to the final, Ronan admitted that although they will not be fazed by the opposition, Killoe will be huge favourites to win the Connolly Cup.

"We won’t be in awe of them, but we will be massive underdogs, and Killoe are the favourites and rightly so, as along with Mullinalaghta they have been the standard bearers of Longford football over the last decade.

“Killoe are back in the final again this year having lost very few games in league or championship, so they will be formidable opposition. We will give it a right go and hopefully give a good account of ourselves.”

Longford MFC Final: Clonguish Og minors cruise to another Harte Cup triumph

Minor (U-18) ‘A’ Football Championship Final

Clonguish Óg became just the third club to claim the coveted Harte Cup 3 years in a row triumph with an easy victory over St. Colmcille’s/St. Francis in the Minor ‘A’ Football Championship Final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last. 

Clonguish were very efficient with their scoring conversion rate against Dromard and Ronan is hoping that it will be repeated in the county final.

“It is something that we have been working on, to get the right fellows on the ball and not to be forcing shots.

“It is something that we didn’t do as well in previous years, and again, it’s all down to what the mentors have instilled in us this year, using the ball better and making the correct shot decision,” said Sweeney.

Longford GAA: Major excitement in the build up to the county finals

Senior, Intermediate and Junior finals this weekend

In the countdown to the county finals this weekend, major excitement is mounting in the build up to the Senior, Intermediate and Junior 'A' football championship finals.