Slick Longford Slashers conquer Carrickedmond in crucial clash

Barry Gilleran surging forward for Slashers against Carrickedmond in the Senior Football Championship Round 1 game on Saturday evening Photo: Syl Healy | Syl Healy

placeholder image — Barry Gilleran surging forward for Slashers against Carrickedmond in the Senior Football Championship Round 1 game on Saturday evening Photo: Syl Healy | Syl Healy

Peter Hanley Motors Senior Football Championship Group B - Round 1

Longford Slashers . . . 4-12 Carrickedmond . . . 1-9

Building on the platform of early goals from Ronan Sheahan and Robbie Clarke, Longford Slashers produced a slick performance to conquer Carrickedmond in the crucial Senior Football Championship clash at Dunbeggan (Grattans) on Saturday evening.

Carrick, to their credit, gradually closed the gap to trail by 2-5 to 1-5 at the break with Cormac Mulvey scoring the goal to keep Eugene McCormack’s side in contention but they faded out of the picture on the changeover.

Inspired by the return of the vastly experienced Barry Gilleran (back in action for the seniors this season) with Paddy Duggan and Peter Lynn also figuring prominently in the defence, Slashers conceded just four points in the second half.

A goal from Sean Clarke was a decisive factor and a further green flag was raised when his brother Robbie found the back of the net for a second time to put the issue beyond all doubt

Another high in this excellent result was the 3 two-pointers converted by Longford keeper Eoin McGuinness and the very pleased Slashers manager Conor Clarke was spot on in plotting this vital victory with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

It was a step in the right direction for the sky-blues and making his senior championship debut (and marking it with a well struck point) was substitute Davy O’Brien, the 19-year-old son of local sports commentator Benny O’Brien.

Carrickedmond now face Colmcille in a crunch game at Emmet Park on Friday night with Slashers receiving the bye in Round 2 of the 5-team group.

LONGFORD SLASHERS: Eoin McGuinness (0-6, 3tpf), Patrick Duggan, Ronan Sheahan Snr, Ronan Kenny, Ben Lynn, Sean Morgan, Peter Lynn, Barry Gilleran, Billy Maguire, Gerard Flynn, Robbie Clarke (2-1, 1f), Gareth McQuaid, Darragh O’ Connell (0-1), Sean Clarke (1-1), Ronan Sheahan Jnr (1-1).

Subs:- Micheal Mulcahy for Gerard Flynn (40 mins), Daire O’ Brien for Ronan Sheahan Snr (45 mins), Tadhg McNevin (0-1) for Gareth McQuaid (50 mins), David O’ Brien (0-1) for Sean Clarke (52 mins), James Shannon for Ronan Sheahan Jnr (60 mins).

CARRICKEDMOND: Gareth Higgins, Fionn Morgan, Rioch Farrell, Conor Mulvey, Sean Egan, Barry O’ Farrell, Darragh Mulligan, Liam Glennon, Enda Farrell, Pauric Dempsey, Eoghán McCormack, Seán Kelly (0-3), Cormac Mulvey (1-0), Aidan McGuire (0-1), Brian Mulvey (0-5, 2f).

Subs:- Kyle Kenny for Darragh Mulligan (35 mins), Marty Mulvey for Cormac Mulvey (40 mins), Dermot Brady for Fionn Morgan (47 mins), John McCormack for Pauric Dempsey (53 mins).

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

Full match report in the print edition of the Leader, on sale this Wednesday