HL Div 2: Superior 'Wood prevail
July 14, 2018
Longwood's Bob Maguire with James Murphy Navan O'Mahonys during the Division 2 HL final at Pairc Tailteann
Longwood were too good for Navan O'Mahonys in the HL Division 2 final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening.
Longwood ........ 1-22
O'Mahonys ...... 1-12
David Flynn's men were never headed in their quest for the Doherty Cup though the sides shared the first four scores.
They kept O'Mahonys at a safe distance through the remainder of the first-half, before pulling clear when playing towards the town goal in the final 30 minutes.
During the third quarter, Longwood put distance between the sides with Ryan Moore's effort from his own 45 leaving seven points between the sides, 0-16 to 0-9.
James Burke's men got a brief respite when John Foley netted from close range (within two minutes of his introduction). Paddy Dillon provided the assist and just four points were in it, 0-16 to 1-9, heading into the final quarter.
Longwood replied with a brace of points. However, two Jack Walsh points (one free) left just four in it with 51 minutes gone.
Aaron Ennis' goal set the tone for another Longwood scoring sequence, this time 1-4 without reply to leave 11 points in it with the hour almost up.
Jack Walsh - O'Mahonys' best performer on the day - closed the scoring with one from play.
Playing into the sun and the hospital end, Longwood had to face the breeze in the first-half.
The scores were tied twice in the opening four minutes after Longwood led twice. By the sixth minute the 'Wood were 0-5 to 0-2 clear.
Longwood moved four points clear twice in the second quarter. One of a number of fine Jack Walsh points cut the gap to just two points with the break beckoning.
An Anthony Healy pointed free left it 0-11 to 0-8 to Longwood at the break.
Longwood outscored Navan O'Mahonys by 1-11 to 1-4 in the second-half to run out comfortable winners.
O'Mahonys had sub David Dillon sent near the end. The sides are set for a SHC Group B clash next Saturday evening.
Longwood - Ross Healy; Paul Gill, Chris Lynch, Johnny Furey; Joey Stenson, Michael Burke, Karl Ennis; Niall Mulvey (0-1), Anthony Healy (0-11, 9 fs, 1 65); Damien Healy (0-1), Ryan Moore (0-2), Bob Maguire; Aaron Ennis (1-4), Eoin Lynch (0-3), Ross Kerrigan. Subs - Sean Sheridan for Maguire (51), Keith Masterson for Kerrigan (57), Coran Byrne for E Lynch (60).
O'Mahonys - John Gleeson; Dermot McKenna, Richie Hogan, Patrick Leahy; James Murphy, Ben McEntaggart, Shane Crosby; Mikey Kelly (0-1), Dylan Regan (0-1); Paddy Dillon, Jack Walsh (0-7, 6fs), Conor Fitzpatrick (0-1); Paddy Skehan (0-2, 1f), Evan Guilfoyle, Cormac Reilly. Subs - David Dillon for Skehan (39), John Foley (1-0) for Fitzpatrick (42), Brian Dunne for Guilfoyle (48), Jake Regan for P Dillon (52).
Referee - Gus Martyn (Dunderry)
