Longford IFC: Connolly’s and Grattans fancied to reach Intermediate final?

A piece of Longford GAA history will be made this weekend when Young Grattans and Mostrim clash in the adult championship for the first time and it could get even better for the Stonepark side.

The 2024 Junior ‘A’ title winners are bidding to reach the Intermediate Championship decider for the first time and it might well materialise at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday evening, throw-in 5pm.

Under the driving force of Ruairi McElligott, the former Mullinalaghta midfielder, Grattans are going well with wins over Ballymahon, Killashee and the Killoe second string to finish top of Group A.

With Reuben Murray leading the charge in the attack, the hard working Grattans team will be in a confident frame of mind in their quest for Hennessy Cup glory.

Standing in their way are Mostrim who have recovered from a heavy defeat against Connolly’s in the opening round to make it through to the last four thanks to a narrow victory over Fr Manning Gaels and a subsequent emphatic success against a fancied Cashel outfit.

Backboned by a fairly lethal full-forward-line in Padraic Joyce, Tiarnan Hussey and Ronan Courtney who clocked up a total of 1-17 to knock Newtowncashel out, the Edgeworthstown side are starting to peak at just the right time under the guidance of former Longford star Niall Sheridan.

Sean Connolly’s and Ballymahon will battle it out in the other semi-final at Pearse Park on Sunday (throw-in 4pm) with the Ballinalee boys going all out to make amends for the bitter disappointment of the defeats in the 2023 and 2024 Intermediate finals.

Former Killoe manager Tommy Donohoe is now in charge of Connolly’s and while there was a slight slip up in the draw against Cashel in the group stage, the emphatic manner in which they cruised to wins over Mostrim and Fr Manning Gaels suggests that they will be hard beaten.

Powered by county players Daire Duggan and the Reynolds brothers Dessie and Daniel, it will be a significant surprise if Connolly’s fail to reach another county final.

While Ballymahon played particularly well to upset Killashee in the opening round, they struggled to get past the Killoe reserves that clinched a semi-final spot.

That was little at stake in their remaining group fixture against Grattans, which ended in a defeat, but the Ballymahon boss Trevor Clendenning will have his players really focused for the match that really matters.

Former Longford midfielder Kevin Diffley is well capable of making a big impact, along with Shane Quinn and the chief marksman Jack Walshe, and Ballymahon will be doing their best to spring a surprise.

​Mulleady Group Intermediate Football Championship Semi-Finals

Saturday September 19

Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 5pm

​Young Grattans v Mostrim

Prediction: Grattans

​Sunday September 20

Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 4pm

​Sean Connolly’s v Ballymahon

Prediction: Connolly’s