Longford GAA: Late Conor Mulligan goal the clincher for Killoe against Colmcille

A Conor Mulligan palmed goal in the 58th minute was the clincher for Killoe in the Leader Cup semi-final at Fr McGee Park on Friday night. It was a tense and exciting finish to the close encounter against the Division 1 league winners Colmcille.

Killoe Emmet Og . . . 1-10 Colmcille . . . 0-10

The reigning county senior football champions will now meet Clonguish in the Leader Cup final on Sunday next in the battle for the prestigious old trophy.

It was a slow start to the game from both understrength sides as Colmcille held possession as they were playing against a stiff breeze while Killoe sat back and waited for the right opportunity to turn the home side over.

The first score of the game came from Killoe keeper Shane Fitzpatrick, who converted a ‘45 in the 6th minute. Colmcille went straight up the other end and pointed through the impressive Cathal Reilly.

Then in the 9th minute the visitors should have had a goal as Ronan McGoldrick went clean through but his effort was deflected over the bar thanks to a good save from Colmcille keeper Noel Farrell.

Killoe then made it 4 points without reply as Daniel Mimnagh, Conor Mulligan and Mark Hughes (free) all raised white flags. Jack Macken converted a free to leave the scoreboard reading 0-5 to 0-3 at the break in favour of Paul O’Hara’s charges after a dull first half.

Emmet Og extended the slender lead at the start of the second half as full forward Mark Hughes tapped over another free. Cathal Reilly added another point for Colmcille before Jack Macken split the posts with a two point free.

The home side swiftly won the following kick-out and wing back Sean Smith fisted the ball over the bar to level matters with 48 minutes gone on the clock. Mark Hughes and Barry McKeon both converted frees to make it 0-8 apiece.

Gavin Farrelly got in behind the Colmcille defence and fisted the ball across the goalmouth for Conor Mulligan to palm to the net to give Killoe a decisive edge with 2 minutes of normal time left to play.

Reilly and Macken (free) both pointed again for Colmcille to leave 2 points in it in stoppage time but Killoe dispossessed Ger Carberry’s charges as they went in search for an equalising two pointer.

The Connolly Cup holders then won a free which the deadly accurate Hughes comfortably converted to make sure of the win and a place in the 2026 Leader Cup Final.

COLMCILLE: Noel Farrell, Colin Farley, Eoghan Williams, Conor Grant, Martin Mulligan, Declan Reilly, Sean Smith (0-1), Vincent Hourican, Aaron Smyth, Gerard Mulligan, Ruairí Harkin, Cathal Reilly (0-4), Keelan Hudson, Jack Macken (0-4, 1 two pointer free, 2 frees), Luke Donnelly

Subs used:- Barry McKeon (0-1, free) for G Mulligan (36 mins), Eoin Hawkins for K Hudson (40 mins), Cathal McCabe for M Mulligan (51 mins), Paul McKeon for R Harkin (56 mins).

KILLOE EMMET OG: Shane Fitzpatrick (0-1, ‘45), Gavin Hughes, Ryan Moffett, Evan Farrelly, Davin Donnelly (0-1), Niall Farrelly, James Moran, Ronan Keogh, Shane Donohoe, Daniel Mimnagh (0-1), Ronan McGoldrick (0-1), Gavin Farrelly, Conor Mulligan (1-1), Mark Hughes (0-5, 5 frees), Dylan O’Neill.

Subs used:- Cian Farrelly for D O’Neill (44 mins), Paul Eivers for G Hughes (52 mins), Niall Finneran for J Moran (stoppage time).