Longford SFC Final: Clonguish storm to 13th title

Peter Hanley Motors Longford SFC Final

Clonguish 1-20 Emmet Og Killoe 1-6

By Deniese O'Flaherty at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park

Michael Flynn kicked 1-09 as Clonguish claimed the Longford SFC title for the first time since 2009 as they brushed aside the weak challenge of reigning champions Emmet Og Killoe in front of a good crowd in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.

It was a 13th title for the Newtownforbes side but it certainly was not unlucky for them as they put in a superb team performance. Dominic Corrigan’s side were hungrier, eager and fitter.

Killoe made a great start to the game with a goal from Gavin Farrelly with just over one minute gone and followed up with points from Liam Hughes and Ryan Keogh after five minutes of play but they couldn’t add
to that.

Clonguish didn’t panic and recovered superbly hitting over 10 points in a row. They were dealt a blow in the 15th minute when Matthew Flynn went off injured. The young stars of James Hagan and Cormac and
Michael Flynn gave Killoe’s defence a torrid time and the champions found them hard to handle.

When Killoe tried to go on the attack it was broken up by some very good Clonguish defending. An excellent point from Cormac Flynn right on the stroke of half-time gave his side a 0-10 to 1-02 lead.

Two wonderful two pointers from the boot of excellent Michael Flynn and another point put nine between the sides in the 37th minute. Davin Donnelly had a goal chance for Killoe in the 35th minute but shot
straight at Clonghish keeper Declan McKenna.

Cormac Flynn brought a save out of Killoe keeper Micheál Hughes in the 45th minute as the youngster went bearing down on goal. Killoe were not allowed or able to play football as Clonguish dominated proceedings.

Jamie Dorr, Michael Flynn and Hagan added further scores to put 11 points between the sides in the 50th minute. The diminutive Hagan kicked over his fifth point in the 60th minute before Michael Flynn sealed a wonderful team and individual performance with a goal in stoppage time.

Killoe got a consolation point right at the end with Daniel Mimnagh kicking over a free. It was a disappointing end for a team that had won seven county titles in the last 14 years.

Scorers for Clonguish: Michael Flynn 1-9 (1f, 2tp), James Hagan 0-5 (1f), Chris Gordon 0-2, Kevin Baskett 0-1, Cormac Flynn 0-1, Ronan Sweeney 0-1 (‘45), Jamie Dorr 0-1.

Scorers for Emmet Og: Gavin Farrelly 1-0, Paddy Kiernan 0-2 (1tp), Liam Hughes 0-1, Ryan Keogh 0-1, Davin Donnelly 0-1, Daniel Mimnagh 0-1 (‘45)

Clonguish: Declan McKenna; Jonathan Burke, Mark Cooney, Chris Gordon; Alan Mimnagh, Conor Smith, Andrew Flynn; Peter Hanley, Matthew Carey; Jamie Dorr, Michael Flynn, Ronan Sweeney; Matthew Flynn, Cormac Flynn, James Hagan. Subs: Subs: Kevin Baskett for Matthew Flynn (15), Jack Duggan for Dorr
(47), Daniel Carey for Andrew Flynn (55), Conor Flynn for Jonathan Burke and Ross Shields for Cooney (60)

Emmet Og: Micheál Hughes; Ryan Keogh, Darren Moffett, Evan Farrelly; James Moran, Liam Hughes, Niall Farrelly; Enda Quinn, Ryan Moffett; Eamon Keogh, Gavin Farrelly, Mickey Quinn; Davin Donnelly, Ronan
McGoldrick, Daniel Mimnagh. Subs: Paddy Kiernan (0-1,1tp) for E Quinn and Paddy Moran for
McGoldrick (27), Ronan Keogh for D Moffett (38), Gavin Hughes for E Farrelly (42), Conor Mulligan for Quinn (54)

Referee: David Tiernan (Ardagh Moydow)