Round two of the Peter Hanley Motor’s Longford senior football championship begins this weekend.
While round one, threw-up some surprises, expect a better outlook on the knockout stage after the bank holiday weekend.
Friday August fourth
St Mary’s Granard v Dromard
Granard and Dromard both opened the championship with victories. Granard sit atop group one on score difference after their 14-point win over Ballymahon.
Meanwhile, Dromard had a five point win over Mostrim.
Granard won’t get as much change out of the Dromard defence, although they will look to build on last week’s victory.
The condition of the Emmet Park pitch could play some part in this one. The pitch stood up well to last week’s game. Expect a fast end-to-end game to go to the wire.
Granard v Dromard
Group One
Emmet Park, Throw-in: 20:00
Longford Slashers v Ballymahon
Both sides were on the wrong end of the score line last week.
Granard riffled 3-14 past Ballymahon, while Slashers were always second best to Clonguish in their six point defeat.
Slashers looked leg heavy and not at the races early-on last week. Expect some improvement in their condition this week.
This is going to be a tough one for Ballymahon as they move up from intermediate. Longford slashers should come away with a win.
Longford Slashers v Ballymahon
Group One
McGann Park, Throw-in: 20:00
The Longford Senior and Intermediate Football Championships resume this weekend.
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 @ShannonsideFM pic.twitter.com/70L3d4dfsq
— Longford GAA (@OfficialLDGAA) August 3, 2023
Saturday August Fifth
Mullinalaghta v Abbeylara
This north Longford derby will be a tough one as both sides look for their second championship win.
Bookies favourites Mullinalaghta lit up the championship’s opening weekend with a seven point win over Rathcline last week.
Abbeylara had too much for Carrickedmond scoring a six-point win. While early in the championship, this one will go a long way to deciding group two.
Derbies can bring fire and brimstone. This one is close to call.
Mullinalaghta v Abbeylara
Group Two
Higginstown, Throw-in: 19:00
Carrickedmond v Colmcille
Defending champions Colmcille slumped to a major defeat last week as Killoe ran out eight point winners.
Colmcille scored just one point in the second-half. Boss Mickey Harkin was immediately provoking a reaction from his players.
Carrickedmond fell to Abbeylara by six points on the opening weekend.
This should be a Colmcille victory, but confidence looks dented! Carrickedmond could get a result if they keep it tight into the third-quarter.
Carrickedmond v Colmcille
Group Two
Maguire Park, Throw-in: 19:00
Sunday August Six
Killoe v Rathcline
Killoe go into this game brimming with confidence. Their second-half performance in the win over defending champions Colmcille laying down a serious marker.
Killoe looked lively in attack well into the final-quarter and were more than worth their victory.
Rathcline fell to Mullinalaghta by seven points in round one. A smiliar result maybe on the cards with Rathcline looking for the fourth place in this group.
Killoe v Rathcline
Group Two
Michael Moran Park, Throw-in: 13:45
Mostrim v Clonguish
Clonguish were convincing winners over Longford Slashers in round one, while Mostrim fell to Domard by five points.
Clonguish laid down a marker in their performance. The attitude from the players, looked like one who were aiming to top group one.
Mostrim to their credit are a tricky team. While Clonguish showed adaptability to move from a defensive first-half to offensive second. Mostrim might be more in their face then Slashers were.
The Edgesworthstown outfit are a proud club. They won’t go down without a fight.
Mostrim v Clonguish
Group One
Leo Casey Park, Throw-in: 17:15