Longwood can look back on their exploits in 2002 with immeasurable pride. After 17 years of honest endeavour, the club's footballers finally brought home an adult football title in the form of the Division 5 All County 'A' League. Selector Barry Ennis reviews an eventful year. There is no substitute for silverware. It is the difference between being 'also rans' and the 'cream of the crop' In Longwood, the club's footballers finally laid a bogey to rest that had been hanging over their heads for almost decades. Broad smiles all round and justifiably so. If lady luck had been on their side, they could have scooped a league and championship double. Having ousted St. Vincent's to win the A FL Division 5 final on Sunday October 13; they went under to Summerhill in a replayed semi-final of the Junior B championship soon after. Defeat is always a bitter pill to swallow, but when it is washed down with a draught of success it is all the more bearable. The fact that Longwood were forced to field without at least six established players through injury also tempered the defeat. To make it even worse was the fact that they should have won the drawn encounter only to be caught by a late Summerhill point run. Barry Ennis, in his second year as selector explained. "Defeat is always hard to swallow but last year's defeat to Kilmainham (Junior B Final) was more disappointing. This year we were ravaged by injuries. Going into the game we were more hopeful than confident because of the injuries." "We were missing Enda Dixon, Ray Doran, Jim Mahon, and Alan Ennis. During the summer we lost Aaron Ennis with a cruciate ligament injury. From last year's team we lost Gary Heneghan. Most of those injuries were picked up in the six weeks before the final." He continued: "We lost to Walterstown by a point at the beginning of the year when had all the lads fit. We knew if we were going to win the championship we would have to beat them again in the final. Given the injuries that we sustained we did well to make it to the semi-final of the championship and win the league." It won't matter one iota that Longwood's victory over St. Vincent's in the league final at Dunshaughlin was at best a scrappy affair. Heavy rain before the throw dictated that the match was never going to be a classic. The important thing is that Longwood won, deservedly so on the day. The victory means that Longwood can look to 2003 with vigour and Division 4 football for the very first time in the club's history. The quality of the football was poor especially in the second half when Longwood valiantly defended their two point winning margin (0-10 to 0-8) in the closing stages. Guts and determination and a stonewall defence were the order of the day. The full back line consisting of James Colgan, Darragh Maguire and Vinny Byrne ably assisted by Gerard Ennis were to the fore in a brilliant rear guard action. The foundations for this gutsy victory were planted in the first half when the accuracy of Alan Monaghan was the main difference between the teams. Longwood led 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval. It was a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Three teams finished on nine points in the group stage of the league - Longwood, St. Vincent's and St. Brigid's. Longwood recorded a comfortable victory over St. Vincent's in the first divisional play-off, but in the league proper, it took a last minute goal to separate the teams. So when the teams met again in the 'final' Barry knew it was going to be a hard fought affair. "It was our third time meeting St. Vincent's. We knew it was going to be close. It could have gone either way on the day, but our six backs and goalkeeper were magnificent of the day. Our will to win and hunger was the difference on the day," Barry recalled. Having gone 17 years without winning an adult football title, Barry believes the club had forgotten how to jump the final hurdle that separates winners and losers. It took a former Westmeath footballer to help them rediscover the knack. Larry Giles took over coaching responsibilities for the first time in 2002. Barry believes his arrival spurred the players on to greater heights. "His training was different every night. He developed a great rapport with the lads. He came in with a clean slate and instilled a will to win in the team. The lads put in a huge effort this year and really wanted to win something. Larry played a huge part in helping them achieve that goal. With an eye to the future Barry is hopeful that the club can finally bring home the Junior B championship in 2003. "We look to win the Junior B every year, but next year we will be going all out to win it. We felt the Gods were against us this year with all the injuries." With a blend of youth and experience Longwood will certainly be in the hunt for championship honours next time round, assuming they can get all their players fit in time. "It is a very young team. There is one of them (Noel Kerrigan) over 30. The youngest lad on the panel is only 16. We haven't got the strength in numbers. That is why it is vital that we get everybody fit for next year," Barry added. Having finally escaped the clutches of Division 5 football the club will be most anxious to consolidate its position in Division 4. "It is a big step up in class because we will be meeting junior and intermediate teams. That will help us in our attempt to win the Junior B championship. We hope to consolidate our position in the league and build from there," Barry revealed. All in all 2002 was a fruitful year for Longwood's footballers. It could have been even better but for injuries. For the moment, they are happy to rest on their laurels and bask in the winter sunshine. In 2003 they'll be going hell for leather for a championship success. Tweet

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