For any team that moves up a grade, the main aim is to establish themselves at the higher level and that is what the Longwood hurlers have set about doing since their return to the top flight of Meath senior hurling two years ago.

At the start of each campaign, the newly crowned intermediate champions are tipped to make the drop back down to the second tier, but Longwood defied those odds last year and have done exactly the same in 2011.

Their cause this year was not helped by being drawn in the so-called 'group of death' along with sides of the calibre of defending champions Kildalkey, former kingpins Kilmessan, 2008 title winners Kiltale, 2007 champions Killyon and Clann na nGael. This was by far the tougher of the two groups in the draw and once again Longwood were many people's favourites to end up in a relegation battle.
The fact that the side would be missing three top players for the earlier rounds of the campaign as Eoin Lynch, Aaron Ennis and Michael Burke were all ruled out with long term injuries and for any side to lose players of this calibre would be a massive blow, but for a rural club like Longwood, it was catastrophic.

Long serving player Darragh Maguire spoke to the Royal County Yearbook about the 2011 campaign and he admits to being pleased with the way that the year panned out, although there is a hint of 'what might have been' in his tone.
"We couldn't have asked for any tougher of a draw. Being placed in with the likes of Kildalkey and Kilmessan left it very tough, but we felt that if we had a full team we had a chance against the rest of the sides in the group," said Darragh.

"Missing the likes of Eoin, Aaron and Mickey was a huge blow to us, while another two players Karl Ennis and Joey Stenson had emigrated, so we were really up against it, but we still felt that we could trouble some of the teams."
The opening match against Kiltale saw Longwood to succumb to a 14-point defeat to the former champions and already the loss of so many was beginning to take its toll.
In the next game, Killyon were the opponents and once again a heavy defeat was the outcome as Longwood remained pointless after two rounds of the championship. Darragh admits that it was hard to lift the spirits in the early stages.
"We had problems finding a manager, so we more or less done it ourselves and brought in outside trainers from time to time like Nick Weir from Raharney in Westmeath.

"I took a good few of the sessions and the footballers trained the same nights as us. We would do an hour's hurling and then an hour's football, which worked well for the most part of the year."
With no points on the board, the pressure was on the white and blacks, but they were given little hope against the defending champions Kildalkey, while there cause was not helped by the late arrival of a key player.
"Mickey Burke had been called back into the Meath panel and they were playing a challenge match against themselves the same evening we were due to play Kildalkey.

"We had made request to the county board to have the game postponed, but that wasn't facilitated. We were left in the situation where we had to wait in the dressingroom for Mickey to arrive. The referee was knocking on our door, but we were trying to delay the game as much as possible.
"It ended up that Mickey came straight from Navan to play in Trim, which meant that he went from playing 70 minutes football to having to line out with us, which is neither fair on the player or the club in such an important match."
Indeed, Longwood produced one of their better performances of the year against the 'Village', especially in the first half when there was very little to separate the sides.

"We played well that evening and we felt that we could have got something from that game at half time, but Kildalkey really pulled away in the second half to claim the points."
This left a huge emphasis on their next game against Clann na nGael. In the corresponding fixture the previous year, Longwood emerged comfortable winners, but Darragh was certainly taking nothing for granted.

"We knew we could beat Athboy, but still having suffered three defeats in a row, you just couldn't tell how this was going to go. The reason we went into the match with some confidence was that for the first time all year, we had a full strength side to choose from as all the injuries had cleared up."
Anthony Healy was the hero of the hour for Longwood as they defeated Clann na nGael in this clash at a damp and dreary Kildalkey. Both teams had come into this game pointless so a win was a must.

Longwood's main marksman Healy had 1-3 on the scoreboard after fifteen minutes. Gary Mangan got Clann na nGael's lone score in this period. Two points from Aaron Ennis and another from Healy gave Longwood a commanding 1-6 to 0-2 half time lead.
Healy started the second half with another brace of points to put Longwood ahead by nine. Clann na nGael driven on by the impressive Mangan from the centre back position came more into the game. Points from Mangan (2), Alan Fox and Daithi Geraghty gave them some hope as Longwood seem to be losing their grip on proceedings. A point from Martin Bermingham steadied the ship and a further three points from Healy gave Longwood an impressive win on a scoreline of 1-12 to 0-08.

Best for the winners were goalkeeper Alan Ennis, Enda Dixon and Eoin Lynch in defence, midfielder Mickey Burke, fresh from his exploits against Kildare, and forwards Aaron Ennis and star man Anto Healy.
This victory guaranteed Longwood of their senior status for a second consecutive year and Darragh admits that the main aim for next year will be to push on for a place in the knockout stages.
"I do believe had we been in the other group this year, we would have had a good chance of reaching the knockout stages and Clann na nGael would probably feel the same.

"We have a good core of players, there are three or four lads around the mid thirties mark, then you have another three or so in their late 20's and the rest are all young lads, so there is a good blend there.
"I definitely feel that we have the players to make the knockout stages and if we get a decent draw then there is no reason why we can't. The lads that emigrated are supposed to be home next year, so they will be a big boost also. There are a few young lads coming through as well, which is always good to see."

Darragh revealed that there is a lot of work being done at underage level in the club and that they are beginning to benefit from that at adult level.
"A lot of work has been done over the past few years and the juvenile chairman Noel Kerrigan and his committee have made a huge difference with all the work they have done.
"From under 8's to under-12 we would have good numbers, but under-14 and under-16 is weak at the moment. Our minors are joined with Rathmolyon, and they are a decent side, so in fairness the future looks bright."

The work that has been done at underage level was evident as Longwood had two players on the Meath under-21 hurling team that lost the Leinster 'B' final to Westmeath at Trim in July.
Both Eoin Lynch at full back and Anthony Healy at full forward were outstanding on the night and certainly were the Royals two best performers as they were edged out by the Lake County after extra time.
"It was great to see two lads on the county team and it just shows the work being done. Eoin and Anthony are exceptional hurlers and I wouldn't be surprised at all, if they both play for the Meath senior hurlers in the very near future."

Longwood claim B FL honours

Longwood got the better of Ballivor (0-10 to 0-6) in the Division 7 BFL final in Longwood.

The home side got off to a good start and points from Martin Birmingham, who opened Longwood's account with an well taken point after 8 minutes of play. Anthony Healy and Ryan Keenan also pointed in this first half points to leave the score at the break 0-5 to 0-04 in Longwood's favour.

Longwood were much the stronger in the second half and points from county minor Sean Sheridan, Ciarian Greene, Birmingham and Damien Healy left Longwood with a four point cushion at the final whistle.
Ballivor only scored a brace of points in this second half it was a great team performance by Longwood as Ballivor beat them earlier in the season.

Those to play well were Johnny Furey, Chris Lynch, Ciarian Greene, Jim Mahon, Ryan Keenan, the Healy brothers - Damien and Anthony, Sean Sheridan, Martin Birmingham and Coran Byrne.
Longwood - Martin Lee, Johnny Furey, Ken Cleary, Chris Lynch, Ciarian Greene 0- 1, Jim Mahon, Ryan Keenan 0- 1, Vinnie Byrne, Damien Healy 0- 1, Gerard Ennis, Alan Ennis, Padraig Barron, Anthony Healy 0-2, Sean Sheridan 0-2, Martin Birmingham 0-3. Subs - Coran Byrne for A Ennis, Darragh Maguire for Cleary, Ross Ennis for G Ennis. Tweet

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