Longford SFC: Clonguish gradually take control against Carrickedmond

Matthew Carey on the ball for Clonguish in evading the challenge of Carrickedmond opponent Barry O’Farrell. Action from the SFC Round 3 game at McGann Park Photo: Syl Healy | Syl Healy

placeholder image — Matthew Carey on the ball for Clonguish in evading the challenge of Carrickedmond opponent Barry O’Farrell. Action from the SFC Round 3 game at McGann Park Photo: Syl Healy | Syl Healy

Matthew Carey scores 1-7 in comfortable win

Clonguish . . . 1-18 Carrickedmond . . . 1-9

Clonguish gradually took control against Carrickedmond in the second half of the Senior Football Championship Round 3 clash at McGann Park in Kenagh on Friday night to book their place in the quarter-finals.

The narrow margin of just three points (0-15 to 1-9) separated the sides in the closing stages of the game before Clonguish made absolutely certain of a second win in Group B with a goal from a penalty converted in fine fashion by chief marksman Matthew Carey in the 54th minute following a foul on James Hagan.

The impressive Carey clocked up a total of 1-7 as Dom Corrigan’s side produced a strong finish to win by the comfortable margin of 9 points in the end despite the absence of the injured Jack Duggan.

Carrickedmond, who were without the injured Kyle Kenny, made it extremely difficult for Clonguish in the first half and were in front by the minimum of margins (1-5 to 0-7) at the break thanks to a rather fortunate goal direct from a Cormac Mulvey free in the 20th minute.

The boys in green appeared to be cruising when they established a 0-6 to 0-2 lead with 16 minutes gone in the game but Carrick, inspired by a cracking two-pointer from midfielder Liam Glennon, showed a lot of courage to dominate the second quarter of the contest.

But the underdogs were unable to keep it going against the superior opposition on the changeover and were outscored on a 1-11 to 0-4 scoreline as Clonguish stepped up a couple of gears to run out emphatic winners in the finish.

It was a third consecutive defeat for Eugene McCormack’s outfit who must now beat Granard in Round 4 next weekend to keep alive their slim chance of avoiding the relegation scrap.

CLONGUISH: Declan McKenna; Jonathan Burke, Ross Shields, Chris Gordon (0-1); Alan Mimnagh, Conor Smith, Ronan Sweeney; Peter Hanley, Jamie Dorr; Michael Flynn (0-4, 2 frees), Matthew Carey (1-7, goal from penalty, two-pointer free, 3 frees), Cormac Flynn (0-1); Matthew Flynn (0-2), Andrew Flynn (0-1), James Hagan (0-1).

Subs:- Mark Cooney for J Burke (50 mins); Kevin Baskett for Michael Flynn (54 mins); Daniel Carey (0-1) for Cormac Flynn (57 mins); Conor Flynn for A Flynn (59 mins).

CARRICKEDMOND: Garret Higgins; Dermot Brady, Rioch Farrell, Conor Mulvey; Pauric Dempsey, Enda Farrell, Diarmuid Kelly; Barry O’Farrell, Liam Glennon (0-3, 1 two-pointer); Darragh Mulligan, Eoghan McCormack (0-3, 1 two-pointer), Sean Kelly; Aidan McGuire, Brian Mulvey (0-3, 2 frees), Cormac Mulvey (1-0, free).

Subs:- Sean Egan for D Mulligan (45 mins); John McCormack for P Dempsey (49 mins).

Referee: Michael Farrell (Ballymahon).