Can Longford champions Killoe spring surprise against St Loman's Mullingar?

After receiving a bye in the opening round, home advantage is a definite plus for Emmet Og in their quest to qualify for the provincial semi-final for the third time (losing twice to Portlaoise in 2012 and 2015) along with the added bonus of a Croke Park appearance against Naas (Kildare) or Summerhill (Meath) a couple of weeks later.  

While Killoe and St Loman’s are meeting in the Leinster Club SFC for the first time, there is a strong connection between the clubs as both the current Emmet Og manager Luke Dempsey and chairperson Declan Rowley are previous managers of the Westmeath champions. 

Rowley guided the Mullingar outfit to championship glory in 2013, a landmark success as it was their first senior title in 50 years, while Dempsey was in charge for five consecutive seasons, 2015 to 2019.

During Luke’s time at the helm a three-in-a-row was completed, not forgetting that St Loman’s left the Leinster Club title slip from their grasp in the 2017 final against Moorefield (Kildare), and they are still the undisputed kings of Westmeath football.

Former player Paddy Dowdall is the present St Loman’s supremo and the club were contesting their 9th county final in a row in the hard earned 0-9 to 0-7 win over Coralstown-Kinnegad in the 2023 decider. 

It was another close call in the Leinster Club first round game against the Wexford champions Shelmaliers with just a couple of points separating the sides in the finish, 1-10 to 1-8.

St Loman’s suffered a significant blow when Shane Dempsey (who scored four points) received a straight red card in stoppage time but they are appealing the automatic one-match suspension which would rule the lethal attacker out of the game against Killoe.

The other key men on the St Loman’s team are John Heslin and Ronan O’Roole, the latter nominated for an All-Star award this year, while Sam McCartan, TJ Cox and goalkeeper Jason Daly are also members of the Westmeath senior football squad.

Former Cashel and Slashers player Peter Foy is now lining-out for St Loman’s and he was brought on in the second half of the match against Shelmaliers. 

That adds a little bit more interest to an already intriguing clash against Emmet Og and the revitalised Foy was considered good enough by Paddy Christie to earn a recall to the Longford panel this year.

Inclined to stick to a defensive strategy, St Loman’s will be hard beaten and are no strangers to Pearse Park. 

After losing to Mullinalaghta in the 2016 quarter-final, the Mullingar club gained revenge at the same stage of the Leinster Championship a year later in coming from six points down to beat St Columba’s by the minimum of margins, 1-12 to 1-11.

It could be another close encounter at the Longford GAA headquarters on Sunday as Killoe also carry a lot of experience after winning all of the six SFC finals they have reached since emerging as a major force back in 2012. 

Kenagh and Ballymore also in Leinster action

The Longford Intermediate champions Kenagh and Junior champions Ballymore are also in Leinster Club action this weekend after both received a bye in the opening round. 

Kenagh have home advantage in the Intermediate club quarter-final against Rathkenny (Meath) at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday (2pm) while on the same day Ballymore play Kilbeggan in the Junior club quarter-final at The Downs GAA grounds in Westmeath (2pm).  

Leinster Club Fixtures  

Saturday 4 November 

AIB Leinster Club Intermediate Football Championship Quarter-Final

Extra-time and Winner on the Day if necessary

Glennon Brothers Pearse Park: Kenagh v Rathkenny (Meath), 2pm 

AIB Leinster Club Junior Football Championship Quarter-Final

Extra-time and Winner on the Day if necessary

The Downs GAA Grounds:  Kilbeggan (Westmeath) v Ballymore, 2pm

Sunday 5 November

AIB Leinster Club Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final

Extra-time and Winner on the Day if necessary

Glennon Brothers Pearse Park: Killoe Emmet Og v St. Loman’s, Mullingar, 2pm.