Longford IFC: First half goals rush the key factor in Cashel win

Cashel . . . 4-9 Fr Manning Gaels . . . 0-11

By Bláithín Mulvihill

A blistering three goal first half rush gave Cashel an unassailable lead in their Intermediate Football Championship first round clash against Fr. Manning Gaels at the excellent Dunbeggan grounds (Grattans) on Sunday.

Holding a commanding nine point lead at the break (3-5 to 0-5), the youthful Cashel side tagged on a further 1-4 to eventually run out comfortable ten point winners at the final whistle.

Cashel’s fast brand of open football had the Gaels finding it very difficult and the Drumlish/Ballinamuck side were fortunate not to be further behind at the break.

Rían O’Boyle was the Gaels chief tormentor with the young forward ending the first half with 2-1 to his credit.

Played in driving rain and wind, the men in red and black adapted better to the conditions. Their determination to make a positive start to this year's championship was evident in the first half.

Despite the weather changing again on the resumption, Cashel’s first half performance had ensured a solid foundation for a first round victory.

While it was Fr. Manning Gaels who opened the scoring with a point from Kaelum Gill there wasn’t much else for their supporters to cheer about as Cashel took control with captain Andrew Farrell scoring a great goal from play to set the south Longford side on their way.

Cashel did all their work in the first half with points from Dan O’Shea, Padraic Syron and Jamie Bermingham and two goals from full-forward Rían O’Boyle cemented their lead for the rest of the match.

The Gaels replied with points from Mark Breslin, Martin Cassidy and Cian Cassidy. Their only goal attempt saw Cashel’s Jack Sweeney make a brilliant block to deny James Noonan an almost certain three-pointer.

With weather conditions improving on the changeover, the Gaels started the second half with real intent. A point from Cian Cassidy and a Mark Hughes two-pointer gave them some hope.

But by the 36th minute this hope had evaporated, along with the rain, when championship debutant Ben O’Shea fired home Cashel's fourth goal. Further scores from Brian Kelly, Conor Murtagh (free) and a ‘45 from goalkeeper Shane Bannon completed the Cashel scoring.

The Gaels to their credit battled bravely to the end with Aaron Quinn, Emmet Noonan and Mark Breslin doing their best to stem the Cashel tide but on this occasion it was all to no avail.

A brace of second half two-pointers from Mark Hughes proved to be their only highlights in a game dominated by Cashel from start to finish.

By virtue of this win, Liam Belton's side will travel to Clonbonny next Sunday for a Round 2 clash with Sesan Connolly’s. The Ballinalee men also won comfortably when they had 13 points to spare over Mostrim.

This eagerly anticipated fixture will more or less guarantee the winners a semi-final spot in this year’s championship.

Cashel: Shane Bannon (0-1, ‘45); Mel Farrell, Luke O’Boyle, Oran Killian; Rory Murtagh, Dan O’Shea (0-1), Jack Sweeney; Ben O’Shea (1-0), Aidan Mulvihill; Conor Murtagh (0-1, free), Andrew Farrell (1-0), Jamie Bermingham (0-1); Padraic Syron (0-2, 1 free), Rían O’Boyle (2-1), Brian Kelly (0-2).

Sub: Jack Beattie for L O’Boyle (injured, 49 mins).

Fr. Manning Gaels: Paddy Collum; Cian Murphy, Emmet Noonan, Aaron Quinn; Kaelum Gill (0-1), Fergal Reilly, Mark Hughes (0-4, 2 two-pointers); Mark Breslin (0-1), JP Farley; Ryan Crowe, Oisín Kane, Kevin Whelan; James Noonan, Martin Cassidy (0-3, 2 frees), Cian Cassidy (0-2).

Subs: David Collum for F Reilly (half-time); Kevin Whitney for O Kane (39 mins).

Referee: David Reynolds (Killoe Emmet Og).