Longford SFC: Champions Killoe show their quality in second half to conquer Rathcline
Peter Hanley Motors Longford Senior Football Championship Group A - Round 2: Killoe Emmet Óg 0-17 Rathcline 0-11
Reigning champions Killoe Emmet Óg maintained their perfect start to the Peter Hanley Motors Longford Senior Football Championship with a controlled and deserved 0-17 to 0-11 victory over Rathcline in a rain-soaked Leo Casey Park, Ballymahon on Saturday evening.
After the glorious sunshine that greeted the opening round of fixtures, the weather took a dramatic turn, with persistent rain making for a slower, scrappier contest where scores were harder earned.
While the conditions dulled the spectacle somewhat, there was certainly no shortage of intensity as both sides produced a physical encounter packed with fierce tackling and heavy collisions.
Rathcline arrived determined to gain revenge for last year’s championship semi-final defeat to the county champions, but despite a spirited effort they were unable to match Killoe’s composure and quality, particularly after the break.
A key platform for Killoe’s success came from goalkeeper Michael Hughes, whose kick-out accuracy bordered on flawless.
Opting for a fast short-kicking approach throughout, Hughes retained possession almost every time, allowing Killoe to dictate the tempo and deny Rathcline the opportunity to build sustained pressure.
Rathcline actually made the brighter start. Oran Kenny opened their account before confidently splitting the posts from distance with a superb two-pointer. Bryn Peters added another point to leave the south Longford men in control during the opening exchanges, 0-4 to nil.
Killoe, however, gradually settled into the contest. Conor Mulligan had opened their scoring before Enda Quinn steadied matters with a well-taken point. Ronan McGoldrick converted two frees either side of an excellent score from Ronan Keogh as the champions found their rhythm.
Peters briefly swung the momentum back Rathcline’s way with an excellent two-point effort, highlighting his importance in attack, but Danny Mimnagh replied with a free to leave scores level at the break, 0-6 apiece.
The champions looked a different side after the restart. Although Peters shot Rathcline in front from the throw-in, Killoe quickly took complete control.
Cian Farrelly settled them with an excellent point before McGoldrick added another free. Danny Mimnagh and Ronan Keogh followed with scores from play as Killoe’s patient build-up repeatedly found gaps in the Rathcline defence.
Rathcline continued to battle and Shane Kenny twice showcased his superb dead-ball accuracy with outstanding two-point frees that briefly kept his side within touching distance.
However, every time Rathcline threatened to build momentum, Killoe had the perfect response.
Enda Quinn produced another excellent score before Davin Donnelly began to stamp his authority on proceedings. His point was followed by one of the scores of the evening from James Moran, who confidently struck over a superb two-pointer to stretch Killoe’s advantage into commanding territory.
Donnelly then added a free before substitute Paddy Kiernan completed the scoring for Killoe with a magnificent two-point effort from distance, a strike that underlined the champions’ superior quality in the closing stages.
Shane Kenny landed another excellent two-point free for Rathcline late on, but by then the outcome had long since been decided.
While the margin of victory looked comfortable in the end, Killoe had to work hard for long periods against an honest Rathcline side who never lacked commitment. The heavy conditions ensured there was little flowing football, but the contest was fiercely competitive throughout, with every possession hotly contested.
With two wins from two, Killoe, who defeated Mullinalaghta by 1-19 to 2-14 in round one, have placed themselves firmly in control of Group A and once again look every bit the side to beat as they continue the defence of their county title.
Rathcline (who lost in Round one by 2-11 to 3-24 against Abbeylara), meanwhile, can still harbour hopes of reaching the knockout stages, but they now face a much tougher road after suffering a second successive championship defeat though the return of Liam Connerton will certainly help affairs as they target the final three games.
KILLOE EMMET ÓG: Micheal Hughes; Gavin Hughes, Ryan Moffet, Evan Farrelly; James Moran (0-2, two pointer), Niall Farrelly, Eamon Keogh; Ronan Keogh (0-2), Enda Quinn (0-2); Daniel Mimnagh (0-2, 0-1 free), Ronan McGoldrick (0-3, 0-2 frees), Cian Farrelly (0-1), Davin Donnelly (0-2, 0-1 free), Gavin Farrelly, Conor Mulligan (0-1).
Subs: Michael Quinn for R McGoldrick (42 mins), Paddy Kiernan (0-2, two pointer) for E Quinn (58 mins), Larry Moran for C Mulligan (58 mins, inj).
RATHCLINE; David Mulvihill; Matthew Heneghan, Jakub Kajan, Harvey Myhill; Seadhna Ryan, Shane Donohue, James Carroll; Michael Morrissey, Oisin Kenny; Iarla O’ Sullivan, Ryan Carberry, Ultan O’Sullivan; Oran Kenny (0-3, 1 two pointer), Shane Kenny (0-4, 2 two pointer frees), Bryn Peters (0-4, 1 two pointer).
Subs: Garth Reilly for S Ryan (8 mins, inj), Niall Keane for U O’Sullivan (43 mins), Ben Murphy for I O’Sullivan (49 mins), Liam Connerton for G Reilly (55 mins).
Referee: Francis Kelly (Carrickedmond).