Longford SFC: Barry McKeon points the way for Colmcille win over Carrickedmond

Four first half two pointers saw Colmcille on their way to an opening round victory over Carrickedmond at C & D Devine Park on Friday night last. 

Colmcille . . . 1-13    Carrickedmond . . . 0-11

It was a perfect evening for football on a super pitch in Edgeworthstown and Colmcille, minus a few regulars, made better use of their opportunities to win their first opening round game in 3 years.

A team’s ability to score two pointers will undoubtedly go a long way to deciding the destination of the Sean Connolly Cup this year and Colmcille were more potent at creating opportunities on the arc.

Barry McKeon kicked the first two pointer when he created his own chance and struck fantastically over within moments of the throw in.

Aidan McGuire got Carrick off the mark while Eoghan McCormack kicked a brace either side of an Eoin Hawkins point but both sides were guilty of missing clear cut chances in the first half. 

Colmcille raced through on goal a couple of times in the first half as both Barry McKeon and Ruairi Harkin  were denied by super Garret Higgins saves.

The game was probably decided in the final 5 minutes of the first half. Aidan McGuire turned beautifully to run through on substitute goalkeeper Ryan Farrell but he didn’t test the young goalkeeper who had to replace the injured Noel Farrell after 10 minutes. 

Carrick could have taken the lead but then Cathal Reilly hit an absolute monster of a score from 45 metres out that almost cleared the net behind. The on fire Barry McKeon then followed up with two more double pointers as the Aughnacliffe outfit quadrupled their two point advantage in a matter of moments.

On the restart, Carrickedmond could have made inroads on the Colmcille lead but left behind considerable scoring chances as they only managed two points through Aidan McGuire (one free).

Colmcille only scored one point in the second half through a Barry McKeon free and their captain was also to the fore in the crucial score on the changeover.

Barry turned inside and beat his man on the end line before putting the ball on the plate for Paul Farley who tapped home an easy goal. It was just reward for Farley whose continuous runs from deep finally delivered the three pointer they clearly desired.

Points from Aidan McGuire, Pauric Dempsey and Eoghán McCormack reduced the gap for Carrick but the goal to revive their challenge evaded them. 

Aidan McGuire did race through with the goal at his mercy but he opted to go for a point and in a crucial blow to their spirit it went wide. 

Carrick’s major opening for a three pointer came when a Sean Kelly shot came off the crossbar and Barry O’Farrell was just denied a rebound to an open net. 

Brian Mulvey excellently shot over the resulting ‘45 but neither side scored for the remaining 8 minutes of the game in an error ridden first round tie.

Carrick have to face Killoe at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park this Thursday night (8pm) in a tough start for the South Longford side and they will be up against it facing the 2023 champions who welcomed back numerous regulars against Granard.

Colmcille were without injured county star Cathal McCabe while Vinny Hourican and the two Mackens were other notable absentees.

COLMCILLE: Noel Farrell; Conor Grant, Eoghan Williams, Martin Mulligan; Dylan McCabe, Declan Reilly, Ruairi Harkin (0-1); Fergal Sheridan, Paul Farley (1-0); Gerard Mulligan, Cathal Reilly (0-2, two pointer); Seanie Smith, Ciaran McKeon, Barry McKeon (0-8, 2f, 3 two pointers), Eoin Hawkins (0-2, 1f). 

Subs:- Ryan Farrell for N Farrell (injured, 10 mins), Matthew Farrell for C McKeon (45 mins).

CARRICKEDMOND: Garret Higgins; Fionn Morgan, Padraig McGrath, Dermot Brady; Sean Egan, Rioch Farrell, Pauric Dempsey (0-1); Enda Farrell, Barry O’Farrell; Liam Glennon, Eoghan McCormack (0-4, 1f), Sean Kelly; Cormac Mulvey, Brian Mulvey (0-1, ‘45), Aidan McGuire (0-5, 2f). 

Subs:- Rioch Farrell for F Morgan (half-time); Kyle Kenny for S Egan (half-time); Darragh Mulligan for D  Brady (half-time); Jack Dempsey for C Mulvey (57 mins).

Referee: Patrick Maguire (St Mary’s Granard).