Longford SFC: Killoe hold out for narrow win over Mullinalaghta in exciting end

Killoe Emmet Og . . . 1-19 Mullinalaghta St Columba’s . . . 2-14

Holding a comfortable 0-14 to 0-7 lead at the break and who were apparently in cruise control when Conor Mulligan scored a goal midway through the second half, Killoe almost pressed the self-destruct button in the opening round of the Senior Football Championship.

Played in front of a good attendance who basked in the glorious sunshine at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Thursday evening, the title holders were 10 points in front (1-16 to 0-9) when the lively Mulligan found the back of the net and Mullinalaghta looked dead and buried.

But spirited St Columba’s never gave up the fight in enjoying a new lease of life and after Emmet Brady and Jayson Matthews missed clear-cut goal chances, there was a glimmer of hope for the underdogs when David McGivney capitalised on a bad blunder in the Killoe defence to raise a green flag in the 57th minute.

The gap was closed to just a couple of points when the impressive Cian Mackey (1-6 in total) converted a penalty in the 60th minute for a second late, late goal but time eventually ran out for Mullinalaghta in the exciting end, much to the great relief of Killoe who were minus a few key players.

Powered by promising young gun Enda Quinn at midfield, the reigning champions were clearly the better team but their manager Paul O’Hara will not be pleased after watching his side almost blow a winning start to the current Connolly Cup campaign.

Mullinalaghta St Columba’s cause suffered a significant setback when the versatile James McGivney was forced to retire injured approaching half-time but all is not lost for the former Leinster champions who will target a quarter-final spot under the guidance of their boss Mickey Harkin.

The vastly experienced Mark Hughes was an early casualty for Killoe Young Emmets but his replacement Davin Donnelly (9th minute) made his presence felt to land a couple of points.

KILLOE EMMET OG: Micheal Hughes; Gavin Hughes, Ryan Moffett, Evan Farrelly; James Moran, Niall Farrelly, Eamon Keogh; Ronan Keogh, Enda Quinn; Daniel Mimnagh (0-4, 2 frees), Ronan McGoldrick (0-3, 1 free), Cian Farrelly (0-5, brace of two-pointers); Gavin Farrelly (0-2), Mark Hughes (0-1, free), Conor Mulligan (1-2).

Subs:- Davin Donnelly (0-2) for Mark Hughes (injured, 9 mins); Mickey Quinn for C Mulligan (injured, 46 mins); Larry Moran for R Keogh (52 mins).

MULLINALAGHTA ST COLUMBA’S: Patrick Rogers; Patrick Fox, Niall Woods, James Rogers; Shane Mulligan, James McGivney, Michael Cunningham; Connor Leonard, Donal McElligott (0-3); Emmet Brady, Cian Mackey (1-6, goal from penalty, couple of two-pointers), David McGivney (1-3, 2 frees); Aidan McElligott (0-1), Aron Earley, Jayson Matthews (0-1).

Subs:- Gary Rogers for J McGivney (injured, 28 mins); Patrick Lynch for A Earley (44 mins); Francis Mulligan for J Rogers (47 mins).

Referee: Hugh O’Kane (Grattans).