Longford Slashers survive first half scare to master Fr Manning Gaels

Although they eventually came out on top to master Fr Manning Gaels with a certain degree of comfort in the end, Longford Slashers had to survive a first half scare in the Senior Football Championship Round 2 clash at Allen Park in Newtownforbes on Friday night. 

Longford Slashers . . . 1-18  Fr Manning Gaels . . . 0-14

Under the guidance of former Slashers multiple SFC medal winner Trevor Clendenning, the Gaels produced a highly charged display but were left to rue a few missed goal chances before they eventually ran out of steam in the second half. 

While the sky blues were fortunate to be leading by a point at the break (0-9 to 0-8), Ruairi Clarke hit the post in the 10th minute in his close range effort to find the back of the net before the hot favourites gradually asserted their superiority on the changeover.

Chief marksman Sean Clarke was particularly prominent in clocking up a total of 1-6 (all from play)  with his goal coming in the 7th minute of stoppage time when the crucial victory was already secured. 

The turning point materialised when substitute Diarmuid Sheahan landed a two-pointer (play) in the 44th minute, at a stage when the sides were deadlocked at 0-11 apiece.

Conor Clarke’s charges now had some breathing space and pushed on to get the better of the gallant Drumlish/Ballinamuck outfit who gave it their best shot in a determined bid to cause a big upset.

Slashers are badly hampered by injuries with Tadhg McNevin a long term casualty while also on the sideline at the moment is Robbie O’Connell. 

Daire O’Brien was forced to retire in the early stages of the second half suffering from concussion but under pressure Slashers still managed to grind out a crucial win in the aftermath of the heavy defeat against Clonguish in the opening round the previous week. 

LONGFORD SLASHERS:  Eoin McGuinness; Paddy Duugan, Ronan Sheahan (senior), Diarmuid Boylan; Peter Lynn, Sean Morgan, Ronan Kenny; Daire O’Brien (0-2, two-pointer free), Adrian Duffy; Sean Clarke (1-6), Darragh O’Connell (0-2), Ruairi Clarke (0-2); Sean Tiernan (0-1), Robbie Clarke (0-3, all frees), Ronan Sheahan.

Subs:- Diarmuid Sheahan (0-2, two pointer) for R Sheahan (37 mins); Micheal Mulcahy for D O’Brien (injured, 39 mins); James Shannon for S Tiernan (52 mins); Frank McKiernan for M Mulcahy (injured, second minute of stoppage time).

FR MANNING GAELS: Paddy Collum; Paul McGee, JP Farley, Mark Hughes (0-3, 1 two-pointer); Caelum McGee, Aaron Quinn, Jamie Nertney; David Collum, Kevin Whelan; Martin Cassidy (0-1), Pauric Gill (0-3), Darren Farley; Clayton Finn (0-3), Dean Cosgrave (0-2), Cian Cassidy (0-1).

Subs:- Nigel Kiernan for C McGee (52 mins), Leon McKeon (0-1, free) for M Cassidy (57 mins). 

Referee: David Tiernan (Ardagh Moydow).  

Other Senior Football Championship Round 2 Results

Group A

Dromard . . . 1-17   St Mary's Granard . . . 2-9 

Group B

Rathcline . . . 0-18    Abbeylara . . . 0-10