St. Columba’s Mullinalaghta grabbed a dramatic late victory over Clonguish in an excellent Longford championship group game.
Mullinalaghta scored a 3-10 to 18 point victory over Clonguish for their first win of the campaign. Whereas, Clonguish have lost two of their opening three games.
Last year’s Longford championship runner-up started the strongest. Cormac Flynn and three Matthew Carey points (2 frees) had Clonguish four points to one ahead on nine minutes. A Jayson Matthews free, Mullinalaghta’s opening score.
Carey and Jason Glancy sent over points, which were cancelled out by a Matthews free and a Chris Gordon point. Another Carey free and Jack Duggan from play had Clonguish eight points to three ahead on 23 minutes.
Donal McElligott sent over an important point in response with Josh Sorohan kicking the final score of the half. Clonguish leading nine points to four at half-time.
It took Jayson Matthews less than 30 seconds to open the second-half scoring. Carey’s fifth free of the day making it a five point game, three minutes after the restart.
Michael Cunningham and Niall Woods kept Mullinalaghta in touch either sides of another Carey free and Matthew Flynn’s point. Clonguish ahead 12 points to seven on 40 minutes as the drama kicked-off.
Referee Fergal Kelly awarded Mullinalaghta a penalty after a foul in the large square following a high ball. Aidan McElligott dispatching the spot kick to the net.
Jack Duggan’s powerful run and shot rattled the Mullinalaghta cross bar in response. The miss that would prove costly in the end.
Two minutes later Mullinalaghta where ahead. The Clonguish defence opened up from the Mullinalaghta surge. Jayson Matthews breaking the line, cutting in on his left and finding the net from close range. Mullinalaghta suddenly leading 2-7 to 0-12.
The Clonguish response was calm and measured. Carey’s seventh free and Matthew Flynn from play had Clonguish one ahead with 12 minutes remaining.
Dramatic finish
The game became scrappy, Jayson Matthews converted a free to equalise on 50 minutes. Jack Duggan restored the Clonguish lead with nine to play.
Cian Mackey and Niall Woods fired over from play to moved Mullinalaghta one ahead as we head for the home straight.
Matthew Flynn and Carey from play turned the game back in Clonguish favour with three minutes to play.
However, up stepped Jayson Matthews taking a big ball, turning on goal and firing home, moving Mullinalaghta two points clear, 3-10 to 0-17.
Clonguish battled for a share of the spoils and where given every chance when Flynn converted as the clock turned red.
However, two wides in injury time where their undoing as Mullinalaghta claimed a 3-10 to 0-18 victory.
Elsewhere, Rathcline scored a big 20-point win over Kenagh, 3-15 to four points in group Longford SFC Group A. Read how Longford Slashers and Carrickedmond drew on Friday night.
