Longford IFC: Daniel Reynolds clocks up 1-10 in easy win for Connolly’s

Sean Connolly’s . . . 1-21 Fr Manning Gaels . . . 0-9

Daniel Reynolds delivered a commanding scoring display as Sean Connolly’s swept aside Fr Manning Gaels in Round 3 of the Intermediate Football Championship at the Ballymore grounds on Sunday last.

Reynolds finished with 1-10, including a superb late two-pointer, but this was an impressive collective performance from Connolly’s. They played with pace, kicked confidently from distance and had established a seven-point advantage by half-time before pulling decisively clear after the restart.

Fr Manning Gaels goalkeeper Paddy Collum produced two outstanding saves in consecutive first half attacks to deny Reynolds, but even those interventions could not prevent the Drumlish/Ballinamuck side from suffering a heavy defeat.

Reynolds opened the scoring from a free awarded following a breach before Daire Duggan doubled Connolly’s advantage. Fr Manning Gaels responded through successive Cian Cassidy points, with the corner-forward quickly displaying the threat he carried.

Kevin Whelan edged the Gaels ahead and Martin Cassidy converted a free as Gary Donoghue’s side made an encouraging beginning. That represented their best spell, however, as the Ballinalee boys soon took control.

Dessie Reynolds cut inside to curl over an excellent left-footed point before Daniel Reynolds began to impose himself on the game.. He landed three scores in succession as Connolly’s moved through the gears and began finding gaps in the Fr Manning Gaels defence.

Cian Cassidy briefly halted that momentum with one of the scores of the game, brilliantly sending over a two-pointer to bring his personal tally to four.

Fr Manning Gaels then had Collum to thank for keeping them within reach. The goalkeeper made two superb saves in quick succession, both denying Daniel Reynolds when the Connolly’s attacker appeared certain to find the net.

Those stops provided only temporary relief. Alan Gregg came forward from defence to split the posts before Sean Kenny contributed a point and followed it with an excellent two-pointer.

Reynolds converted another free and Connolly’s added a further score through former Clonguish man Gregg before their leading marksman completed the first half scoring. That left Tommy Donohoe’s side in complete command at the break, leading by 0-13 to 0-6.

Any hope of a Fr Manning Gaels revival was quickly extinguished on the restart. Dessie Reynolds opened the second half scoring before Connolly’s pressure finally produced the goal which had eluded them during the first half.

Fr Manning Gaels intercepted the initial attack inside their own defence but failed to clear the danger. Connolly’s immediately regained possession and Daniel Reynolds ruthlessly punished the turnover, punching to the net.

Cian Cassidy replied with another fantastic point, taking his tally to 0-5, but Connolly’s remained firmly in control. Reynolds added a point before Gregg registered his third score.

Duggan also doubled his tally as Connolly’s continued to attack with conviction and spread their scores throughout the team.

An already difficult assignment became even harder for Fr Manning Gaels when Aaron Quinn was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card. Martin Cassidy converted a two-point free, but it offered only brief respite.

Ronan McGreal got forward to add his name to the Connolly’s scoresheet before Daniel Reynolds completed a hugely influential individual display. He first landed another point and then finished the scoring in style with a magnificent two-pointer from play.

Seán Connollys finished 15 points clear after a polished and clinical performance. Fr Manning Gaels had contributed to a competitive opening quarter, with Cian Cassidy particularly impressive, but they were ultimately unable to contain chief marksman Reynolds or the range of attacking options around him.

SEAN CONNOLLY’S: John McKenna; Ronan McGreal (0-1), Sean O’Sullivan, Jack Conlon; Conan Rawle, Dylan Lynch, Alan Gregg (0-3); Jack Reilly, Daire Duggan (0-2); Michael Murphy, Dessie Reynolds (0-2), Ciaran McEvoy; Stephen Lynch, Daniel Reynolds (1-10, 1tp, 2f), Sean Kenny (0-3, 1tp).

Subs used:- Evan Tully, Paddy Reynolds, Diarmuid Glennon, John Sheridan and Diarmuid Rawle.

FR MANNING GAELS: Paddy Collum; Sean Gibbons, Emmet Noonan, Alex Karyntinos; Kaelum Gill, Aaron Quinn, Mark Hughes; Ryan Crowe, JP Farley; Oisín Kane, Kevin Whelan (0-1), Kevin Whitney; Martin Cassidy (0-3, 1tpf, 1f), David Collum, Cian Cassidy (0-5, 1tp).

Subs used:- Sean McKenna, Cian Murphy and James McCann.

Referee: David Reynolds (Killoe Emmet Og).