Longford SFC Final

Emmet Og, Killoe 1-8 Clonguish 0-10

By Deniese O'Flaherty at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park

A pointed free from Mark Hughes deep in stoppage time saw Emmet Og Killoe win the Longford SFC title for the first time since 2020 at the expense of a gallant Clonguish.

In what was a real battle between two good footballing teams, the young Clonguish side will rue missed chances. In the end the experience told for the Killoe, under the guidance of Luke Dempsey. 

After a tight first half the sides were level at half-time. For all their possession and the chances created Clonguish will feel disappointed not to have taken a lead in at the break.

A neat point from Clonguish wing-back Darren Quinn opened the scoring with just one minute gone on the clock. Matthew Carey kicked over his first free to give the Newtownforbes side a two point lead after five minutes played.

Killoe were level after 10 minutes with a Mark Hughe free and a fine effort from Daniel Mimnagh. Clonguish keeper Joe O’Brien made a fine save to deny Hughes after his kick-out was intercepted by Mimnagh.

A great point from Cian Farrelly edged Killoe ahead for the first time in the 12th minute but points from Christopher Gordan and Carey (free) put Clonguish back in front in the 24th minute. Despite creating the opportunities they couldn’t add to that and in the 30th minute another Hughes free levelled the game for the third time. 

The second half was a much better contest. Two minutes in Killoe got a goal; Paddy Moran did the work and Hughes fisted the ball to the net. Clonguish replied with two to cut the gap to one in the 37th minute. 

Two more times Killoe were ahead by three but in the 56th minute an excellent Michael Flynn point and another Carey free put one between the sides. The sides were level for the fourth time in the 60th minute.

The substitutes that Clonguish made were impressive when they came on and were part of the comeback. 

In the third minute of stoppage time Emmet Og captain Cian Farrelly was fouled, up stepped Hughes to fire over the bar to claim a 14th county title.

S****corers for Emmet Og: Mark Hughes 1-5 (4fs), Cian Farrelly 0-1, Daniel Mimnagh 0-1, Ronan McGoldrick 0-1.

Scorers for Clonguish: Matthew Carey 0-5 (4fs) Christopher Gordon 0-2, Michael Flynn 0-2, Darren Quinn 0-1

E****mmet Og: Micheál Hughes; Liam Hughes, Niall Farrelly, Evan Farrelly; Ryan Moffett, Darren Moffett, Paddy Moran; Paddy Kiernan, Ronan Keogh; Denis McGoldrick, Gavin Farrelly, Cian Farrelly; Daniel Mimnagh, Mark Hughes, Mickey Quinn.

S****ubs: Colm Coyle for E Farrelly (37), Ronan McGoldrick for McGoldrick (42), Shane Clarke for Keogh (60+1).

C****longuish: Joe O’Brien; Conor Smith, Gerard Moore, Conor Flynn; Josh Sorohan, Andrew Flynn, Darren Quinn; Ronan Sweeney, Conor Shields; Matthew Flynn, Jack Duggan, Christopher Gordon; Matthew Carey, David Barden, Michael Flynn.

S****ubs: Peter Hanley for Moore (47), Kevin Burke for Gordon (49).

R****eferee: Hugh O’Kane (Longford Slashers).