Longford SFC: Matthew Flynn on fire as Clonguish take control against Granard

Clonguish . . . 0-21 St Mary’s Granard . . . 1-12

Generally regarded as strong contenders in the race for Connolly Cup glory this season, Clonguuish took control against Granard in the entertaining Senior Football Championship Round 2 clash at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Thursday night.

St Mary’s were on a high in the aftermath of their excellent win over Colmcille in the opening round but they never looked like springing another surprise result against the superior opposition and most impressive in a razor sharp attack was Matthew Flynn who clocked up 0-8 (1 two-pointer) - all from play.

Powered by Peter Hanley at midfield, Clonguish had built up a commanding 0-16 to 0-9 advantage when James Hagan shot over the bar in the 41st minute but gutsy Granard, to their credit, never gave up the fight in the face of adversity.

A two-pointer free converted by Darren Gallagher and another score from Jamie Brady Hynes closed the gap before Matthew Flynn was on target again.

While St Mary’s were then given a glimmer of hope with a well-taken goal from Gallagher in the 52nd minute to leave just two points separating the sides (0-17 to 1-12), the underdogs failed to register another score during the remainder of the match.

Around 700 spectators were in Pearse Park to witness this attractive encounter but Clonguish were able to step up another gear when required and they closed out the game with points from Mark Cooney, Jack Duggan (two-pointer) and Matthew Carey.

CLONGUISH: Declan McKenna; Jonathan Burke, Conor Flynn, Ross Shields; Chris Gordon, Conor Smith, Alan Mimnagh; Peter Hanley, Jack Duggan (0-5, brace of two pointers free and play); Matthew Flynn (0-8, 1 two-pointer), Matthew Carey (0-4, 1 free), Jamie Dorr; Cormac Flynn, Andrew Flynn, James Hagan (0-3).

Subs:- Mark Cooney (0-1) for C Smith (injured, 25 mins); Michael Flynn for R Shields (39 mins); Ronan Sweeney for J Burke (60 mins).

ST MARY’S GRANARD: Reece Small; Patrick McGivney, Tom Kearney, Sean Corcoran; Harry Kiernan, Mark Tully, Liam Sullivan; Darren Gallagher (1-4, 1 two-pointer free, 1 ‘45), David Callaghan; Jordan Sheils, Jamie Brady Hynes (0-4, 1 free), Ben Blessington; Cian O’Donnell (0-2, two-pointer from play), Jordan Martin (0-1), Brendan Martin (0-1).

Subs:- James Kiernan for M Tully (injured, 25 mins); Micheal Hynes for J Sheils (49 mins); Charlie Martin for B Martin (54 mins).

Referee: David Donohoe (Mullinalaghta St Columba’s).