Killoe Emmet Og opened their Longford senior football championship campaign with victory over defending champions Colmcille.
Killoe showed some sharp moves conceding just one second-half point and winning out 2-8 to six points after some heavy rain showers.
The heavy pitch played its part in the opening night of the championship. Killoe opening the scoring within 60 seconds through a Denis McGoldrick point.
Jack Macken levelled the game up on eight minutes. Paddy Moran restoring Killoe’s lead on 15 minutes.
Killoe landed the opening goal of the Longford SFC on 10 minutes. The Comcille defence opened up on Colm Coyle’s run. Noel Farrell in the Colmcille goal did well to stop the shot.
However Ronan Keogh was on hand to fist the rebound to the net.
Mark Hughes added Killoe’s third point three minutes later with Colmcille struggling to get into the game.
The defending champions had a shout for a penalty on 16 minute. Paul McKeon going down in the big rectangle. Referee Patrick Maguire waved it away.
It was a marker to bring Comcille to life. Paul McKeon pointed from a side-line for Colmcille’s first score in nine minutes.
Barry McKeon (0-2) and Macken brought the champions back into the game, making it a two point game. Mark Hughes converted a 23rd minute free as Killoe led 1-4 to 0-5 at half-time.
Kiloe's Daniel Mimnagh produces second-half show
However, the big response from the Colmcille men didn’t arrive. In fact it was the Killoe side who excelled in the late evening sun.
Colmcille keeper Noel Farrell made a splendid save with his feet four minutes after the restart after Michael Quinn raced through on goal. Quinn’s poked effort was stopped by Farrell.
Ruairi Harkin opened the scoring on 35 minutes, bringing Colmcille back within a point. Surprisingly Colmcille wouldn’t find another score.
Black card game changer
Danny Mimnagh kicked his first of three second-half points on 38 minutes. Then, the game changed when Cathal McCabe was shown a black card.
Killoe took full advantage of the 10-minute advantage. Mimnagh converting a free and a mark by the 49th minute.
Killoe’s alertness and speed became more apparent as the game progressed. Most notably when they were awarded a 55th minute penalty.
Ronan Keogh stole the ball inside the Colmcille 14-metre line. The lay-off saw Mark Hughes followed in the big square and the referee gave the spot-kick.
Hughes gave Farrell no chance from the penalty spot, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Hughes rounded off the scoring a minute from time, with a fisted point after Killoe went the length of the pitch. Killoe winning out 2-8 to 0-6.
Elsewhere on the opening night of the Longford SFC, Dromard scored a 16 points to 1-8 win over Mostrim.
Scorers, Colmcille: Jack Macken 0-2, Barry McKeon 0-3, Ruairi Harkin 0-1.
Killoe Emmet Og: Ronan Keogh 1-0, Mark Hughes 1-3, Daniel Mimnagh 0-3 (1f, 1m), Paddy Moran, Denis McGoldrick 0-1 each.
The Longford Senior Football Championship gets underway this weekend plus Round 2 of the Intermediate Football Championship.
There are 9 games in total this weekend and you can buy individual or multi-game passes at https://t.co/nx6Pe6HUah@ClubLongford @Longford_Leader pic.twitter.com/LEArBFAE5K— Longford GAA (@OfficialLDGAA) July 27, 2023
