Longford SFC: Colmcille cruise to comfortable win over Granard

Jack Macken pictured in action for Colmcille against Granard opponent James Kiernan in the SFC quarter-final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday evening Photo: Syl Healy

placeholder image — Jack Macken pictured in action for Colmcille against Granard opponent James Kiernan in the SFC quarter-final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday evening Photo: Syl Healy

Peter Hanley Motors Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final

Colmcille . . . 1-14 St Mary’s Granard . . . 1-8

Midfielder Macken fired over five cracking points (3 frees)in the first half as Colmcille recovered from the concession of a Micheal Hynes goal for Granard in the early stages of the game to lead by 1-9 to 1-3 at the break.

The young St Mary’s side were guilty of making numerous mistakes and were critically punished when they gave the ball away in gifting Cathal Reilly a goal in the 19th minute with the sides all square prior to that decisive turning point.

Whatever slim hopes Granard had of staging a comeback on the changeover were dashed when Colmcille increased their commanding advantage with four more points from Barry McKeon (free), Shaun McKeon, Ruairi Harkin and Fergal Sheridan.

The title holders could even afford the luxury of failing to convert a penalty when centre-half-back Harkin had his kick well saved by the St Mary’s keeper Thomas Gallagher in the 52nd minute.

While Granard showed a lot of spirit to shoot four points in a row through Jamie Brady Hynes (two frees), Darren Gallagher ('45) and substitute David Callaghan, they found the going too tough against confident Colmcille who move on to meet Killoe in a most eagerly awaited semi-final at the end of the month.

COLMCILLE: Noel Farrell; Conor Grant, Enda Macken, Gerard Mulligan; Shaun McKeon (0-1), Ruairi Harkin (0-1), Declan Reilly; Jack Macken (0-5, 3 frees), Fergal Sheridan (0-1); Shea Farley, Cathal Reilly (1-1), Vinny Hourican; Barry McKeon (0-3, 3 frees), Cathal McCabe (0-1), Alan McKeon.

Subs:- Dylan McCabe for S Farley (49 mins); Paul McKeon (0-1) for C McCabe (55 mins); Eoin Hawkins for A McKeon (56 mins).

ST MARY’S GRANARD: Thomas Gallagher; Dylan Corcoran, Eddie Smyth, Aaron Smyth; Mark O’Neill, Mark Tully, Sean Corcoran; James Kiernan, Charlie Martin; Jordan Shiels, Harry Kiernan, Darren Gallagher (0-2, 1 ‘45, 1 free); Jordan Martin (0-1), Jamie Brady Hynes (0-4, 4 frees), Micheal Hynes (1-0).

Subs:- Paddy McGivney for M Tully (36 mins); David Callaghan (0-1) for J Shiels (38 mins); Oisin O’Hara for J Martin (55 mins); Eoin Sheridan for M Hynes (55 mins); Declan Hynes for H Kiernan (60 mins).

Referee: Tony Gaffney (Mostrim).