Killoe began their 2020 Longford senior football championship campaign with a controlled win over Clonguish in Monaduff on Friday night.
Seven points from Mark Hughes including three free’s and four from Larry Morgan saw the defending championships home, 14 points to nine.
While Killoe always had another gear in their drive for victory Clonguish’s Jack Duggan showed composure beyond his years as he sent over seven points.
Killoe led seven points to four at the break, Larry Morgan and Mark Hughes on the scoreboard early for Killoe before Francis Molloy responded for Clonguish and Hughes restored a two point lead.
The first talking point of the game was the off the ball clash between Clonguish’s Alan Gregg who was lucky not to see red having right hooked Jake Donnelly.
Friday night football Killoe v Clonguish #longfordchampionship #gaa pic.twitter.com/vCJYUEvFxc
— Shannonside FM (@ShannonsideFM) August 7, 2020
The referee having missed the skirmish showed both yellow cards after consulting with his linesman.
A Hughes free plus points from Daniel Mimnagh and Morgan moved Killoe six to one point clear on 19 minutes.
Clonguish keeper Declan McKenna produced a super save on 29 minutes with Minmnagh odds onto find the net. At this stage Jack Duggan’s two free’s had re-awoke Clonguish.
Brilliant inter-play on half-way between Minmangh and Eamon Keogh ripped open Clonguish, however McKenna made himself big to prevent Minmangh from finding the net with a close range save.
Morgan sent over another free for Killoe with a fine fisted point by Clonguish’s Cian Belton leaving the half-time score seven points to four.
Duggan sent over his third point of the game a minute into the second half, but Killoe always had an extra gear with a combination of scores from Hughes and Keogh moving Killoe ahead.
Clonguish over relied on Duggan for scores, the young man showing real ability as a future county star with five second half points.
Michael Quinn received a black card four minutes from time as he prevented a possible Clonguish goal attempt, with the scores at 14 points to eight.
Duggan sent over the final point but it was mere consolation as Killoe got their campaign off to a winning start.
Scorers Killoe: Larry Morgn 0-4 1f, Mark Hughes 0-7 3f, Daniel Mimnagh 0-1, Eamon Keogh 0-2
Scorers Clonguish: Francis Molloy 0-1, Jack Duggan 0-7 2f, Cian Belton 0-1
