Clonguish fought back late on to secure a 1-9 a piece draw with Longford Slashers in their championship opener.
Last year’s beaten finalists fighting back for a share of the spoils as Slashers went 18 minutes without a score.
Slashers had the better of the first-half, Ronan Kenny putting them ahead early on. Matthew Carey opening his account with a free in response.
The town team made the most of playing with the wind. Robbie Clarke (free) and a fisted Darragh O’Connell point moving Slashers two points ahead.
Carey landed a score either side of a good Peter Lynn point. Clonguish keeper Joe O’Brien pushed a dropping Ronan Sheahan point over the bar and Cormac Flynn responded for last year’s runner’s-up as Slashers led five point to four at half-time.
Second-half fire works
Slashers came out of the traps fast in the second-half. Ronan Sheahan and an Eoin McGuinness free moving the town team three clear four minutes after the restart.
Two minutes later Slashers where in for a goal. Andrew Dalton working a good ball into the onrushing Ronan Sheahan who slipped the ball under O’Brien into the net.
Clonguish responded expertly to the goal and ate into the six point deficit. Chris Gordon kicked a point in immediate response.
Clonguish turned the restart over; the effective Cormac Flynn pulled the ball back from the end line, allowing Josh Sorohan fist the ball into the net.
Jason Glancy registered a 39th minute point to make it a one point game, 1-6 to 1-7.
Clonguish were level with 10 minutes remaining. Matthew Carey fisting a point. However Slashers sprung to life. Goalkeeper McGuinness converted his second free of the day for Slashers first score in 18 minutes.
Carey wasn’t done yet. First off playing a 45-metre free short, where Slashers committed a second foul on the 13 metre line. Carey converted from in front of the posts.
Andrew Dalton’s point looked to have won it for Slashers, two minutes into injury time. However, a good finish by Cormac Flynn 60 seconds secured a share of the spoils. 1-9 each.
Scorers: Longford Slashers: Robert Sheahan 1-1, Darragh O’Connell 0-2, Eoin McGuinness 0-2 (2f), Robert Clarke 1f, Ronan Kenny, Peter Lynn, Andrew Dalton 0-1 each.
Clonguish: Matthew Carey 0-5 (2f), Cormac Flynn 0-2, Joshn Sorohan 1-0, Chris Gordon, Jason Glancy 0-1 each.
