Michael Flynn inspires Clonguish to first title since 2009

It is a 13th Longford crown for the Newtownforbes side

Clonguish

Longford SFC final: Clonguish 1-20 Emmet Og Killoe 1-6 

Michael Flynn kicked 1-9 as Clonguish claimed the Longford SFC title for the first time since 2009 as they brushed aside the weak challenge of reigning champions Emmet Og Killoe at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.

It was a 13th title for the Newtownforbes side but it certainly was not unlucky for them as they put in a superb team performance. Dominic Corrigan’s side were hungrier, eager and fitter.

Killoe made a great start to the game with a goal from Gavin Farrelly with just over one minute gone and followed up with points from Liam Hughes and Ryan Keogh after five minutes of play but they couldn’t add to that.

Clonguish didn’t panic and recovered superbly hitting over 10 points in a row. They were dealt a blow in the 15th minute when Matthew Flynn went off injured. The young stars of James Hagan and Cormac and Michael Flynn gave Killoe’s defence a torrid time and the champions found them hard to handle.

When Killoe tried to go on the attack it was broken up by some very good Clonguish defending. An excellent point from Cormac Flynn right on the stroke of half-time gave his side a 0-10 to 1-02 lead.

Two wonderful two pointers from the boot of excellent Michael Flynn and another point put nine between the sides in the 37th minute. Davin Donnelly had a goal chance for Killoe in the 35th minute but shot straight at Clonghish keeper Declan McKenna.

Cormac Flynn brought a save out of Killoe keeper Micheál Hughes in the 45th minute as the youngster went bearing down on goal.

Killoe were not allowed or able to play football as Clonguish dominated proceedings. Jamie Dorr, Michael Flynn and Hagan added further scores to put 11 points between the sides in the 50th minute.

The diminutive Hagan kicked over his fifth point in the 60th minute before Michael Flynn sealed a wonderful team and individual performance with a goal in stoppage time.

Killoe got a consolation point right at the end with Daniel Mimnagh kicking over a free. It was a disappointing end for a team that had won seven county titles in the last 14 years.

Scorers for Clonguish: Michael Flynn 1-9 (1f, 2tp), J Hagan 0-5 (1f), C Gordon 0-2, K Baskett,, C Flynn, Ronan Sweeney, (‘45), Jamie Dorr 0-1 each.

Scorers for Emmet Og: Gavin F 1-0, P Kiernan 0-2 (1tp), L Hughes, R Keogh 0-1, D Donnelly, D Mimnagh (‘45) 0-1 each 

CLONGUISH: D McKenna; J Burke, M Cooney, C Gordon; A Mimnagh, C Smith, A Flynn; PHanley, M Carey; J Dorr, Michael Flynn, R Sweeney; Matthew Flynn, C Flynn, J Hagan.

Subs: K Baskett for Matthew Flynn (15), J Duggan for Dorr (47), D Carey for Andrew Flynn (55), C Flynn for Jonathan Burke and R Shields for Cooney (60) 

EMMET OG: M Hughes; R Keogh, D Moffett, E Farrelly; J Moran, L Hughes, N Farrelly; E Quinn, R Moffett; E Keogh, G Farrelly, M Quinn; D Donnelly, R McGoldrick, D Mimnagh.

Subs: P Kiernan (0-1,1tp) for E Quinn and P Moran for McGoldrick (27), R Keogh for D Moffett (38), G Hughes for E Farrelly (42), C Mulligan for Quinn (54) 

Referee: David Tiernan (Ardagh Moydow)