Longwood reach first final in 52 years

Longwood qualified for the Meath SHC final for the first time since 1961 after sensationally ousting holders Kiltale, 1-22 to 2-16, at Páirc Tailteann on Saturday.

The surprise winners recovered from being eight points (1-7 to 2-12) in arrears at the break, with eight successive points on the restart laying the platform for victory.

Goals from Peter Durnin and Cillian O’Sullivan in the first half had Kiltale in control but Johnny Furey found the net to give Longwood hope.

Anthony Healy was Longwood’s top scorer with 13 points while county dual star Mickey Burke, also played a key role.

Twenty-eight times champions Kilmessan advanced from the first semi-final with a 3-15 to 2-13 victory over Dunboyne, who held a narrow 1-7 to 1-6 interval lead.

Charlie Keena was the Kilmessan hero with three goals. The first was netted on the half-hour while Neil Hackett fired both of Dunboyne’s goals, from a penalty and a close-in free.

With the experienced duo of Nicky Horan and Stephen Clynch showing up well and Keena adding two more goals, Kilmessan pushed clear to reach their first final in three years.