Longford SFC: Chris Gordon goals the platform for Clonguish victory

Clonguish . . . 2-18 Ardagh Moydow . . . 0-16

After doing so well to retain their senior status, gallant Ardagh Moydow made it difficult for Clonguish with a couple of goals from Chris Gordon in the first half providing the platform for their expected victory in the championship quarter-final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday.

Ardagh Moydow only trailed by 4 points on a scoreline of 2-11 to 0-13 in the early stages of the second half and could well have had a penalty to further reduce the arrears when Emmet Donlon was brought to ground in the square.

No foul was the decision as Clonguish went on to kick the next four points and drive over the line with the fairly comfortable margin of 8 points to spare in the finish in advancing to meet Dromard in the semi-final.

Last year’s Intermediate champions can be very proud of themselves as they played very good football during periods of this game and did not throw the towel in despite conceding two goals in the opening 10 minutes.

Liam Keenan’s charges started the game strongly as they registered 2 points in the opening 3 minutes through sharpshooters Killian Farrell and Daryl Carrigy.

Hot favourites Clonguish would go on to get the next 7 scores as James Hagan split the posts for his side’s first score before Christopher Gordon raised the first of his green flags with 6 minutes gone on the clock.

Kevin Baskett, Jamie Dorr and captain Matthew Carey (free) added quick fire points before Gordon rattled the net again after 10 minutes to put Clonguish in the driving seat on a scoreline of 2-5 to 0-2.

Killian Farrell and Michael Flynn converted two frees each for their sides, Jack Duggan added a point from play, and then Jamie Connor split the posts with a monster free off the ground from 55 metres to leave the scoreboard reading 2-8 to 0-6 at the break.

Ardagh Moydow got off to a good start on the changeover as Killian Farrell opened the second half scoring with a point straight from the throw-in which was immediately replied through Jack Duggan as he collected the kickout from Declan McKenna and carried the ball straight down the field and popped the ball over the bar.

Max Gallagher and Kevin Baskett exchanged points as Killian Farrell raised another white flag. Matthew Carey then rattled the crossbar when attempting to strike for goal but he gathered the rebound and pointed once again.

The senior championship knockout stage debutants then significantly reduced the gap as Jamie Connor added another two point free before fellow forward Connor Hogan raised a second orange flag less than a minute later to give their side real momentum in this game. Ardagh Moydow then could have had a penalty as after a high centre into the Clonguish square, Emmet Donlon gathered the ball and was then brought to ground but the referee saw nothing wrong.

Clonguish regained momentum and got themselves back in control as Matthew Carey and Michael Flynn added frees, before Clonguish substitute Cormac Flynn could have sealed the win with a huge goal chance but Cian O’Beirne pulled off one of his many spectacular saves to put the ball out for a ‘45 which was cooly converted by Carey.

Michael Flynn added another two frees for the Newtownforbes side along with a James Hagan point to put the matter beyond doubt. Jamie Connor added a single point free for his side and Connor Hogan kicked another two pointer from play before substitute Daniel Carey fisted a last Clonguish point.

Clonguish: Declan McKenna, Conor Smith, Ross Shields, Alan Mimnagh, Jonathan Burke, Andrew Flynn, Christopher Gordon (2-0), Peter Hanley, Jamie Dorr (0-1), Matthew Flynn, Matthew Carey (0-6, 3 frees, 1 ‘45), Kevin Baskett (0-2), Michael Flynn (0-5, 4 frees), Jack Duggan (0-1), James Hagan (0-2).

Subs used: Mark Cooney for R Shields (34 mins, injured), Cormac Flynn for J Dorr (50 mins), Daniel Carey (0-1) for K Baskett (stoppage time).

Ardagh Moydow: Cian O’Beirne, Mark McCord, Tommy Powell, Fergal Keenan, Diarmuid Farrell, Conor Carroll, James McGoey, Max Gallagher (0-1), Dylan Fay, Emmet Donlon, Dylan Coady, Connor Hogan (0-4, 2 two pointers from play), Jamie Connor (0-5, 2 two pointer frees, 1 free), Killian Farrell (0-5, 2 frees), Daryl Carrigy (0-1).

Subs used: Jack Gallagher for F Keenan (28 mins), Gerard Farrell for J McGoey (40 mins), Eugene Murray for D Coady (54 mins), Derek Belton for J Connor and Paddy Hanley for E Donlon (stoppage time).

Referee: Hugh O’Kane (Grattans).