Longwood are a club on an upward spiral in both hurling and football. Frank Dempsey takes a close look at Meath's 'Lilywhites'. Before recording the current state of play of the Royal County's version of the Lilywhites namely Longwood, it is worth having a brief look at the history that lies behind the club. That history can be often overlooked. The club was founded as far back as 1904 and famous names that were involved included Tom Conway, 'Chip' Bird and Michael Giles. When one looks at famous teams and wins down through the years those names along with others like the Connollys, Kellys, Dixons, Geraghty's, Foran's feature on teams, generation after generation. There are others, too many to mention in a brief summary such as this. Apart from players the one thing that shines through, off the field, has been the help received from local landowners to allow hurling and football to be played on their land when needed. Their present well appointed ground, opened officially in 1996 was not the first place used as a GAA pitch. It was in fact, across the road. Among the many locations used was Giles' at Moyfinn, Farrell's, Lionsden, Bird's Brock, Farrelly's at the Dock and Weir's in Ballyclare. The club recognises that without the help of those people Longwould would not have survived. The one location that I have not mentioned that always remains in my mind was Foran's field, now the victim of a housing development. That venue brings back fond memories of my own playing days particularly the many thrilling seven-a-side tournaments that took place there annually on those balmy sunny summer evenings. On the playing fields the club's most memorable year was undoubtedly 1936. On a cold windy November day Longwood faced the might of Kilmessan for the senior hurling championship. Their opponents were the kingpins of hurling and after failure in 1907 and 1910 they were to make it third time lucky, this time under the guidance of Fr McManus. He was later to become a giant in the annals of Meath GAA affairs. They succeeded powered by Ned Giles, who returned from 'Erin's Own' who had also dominated Meath hurling. Ammie 'The Butcher' Connolly returned from Tipperary where he served his time and that pairing was the strongest in Meath hurling at that time. Along with Fr McManus, Paddy Conway and those two players Longwood proved irrestible that year and took their only senior crown. In spite of many outstanding sides since they have not been able to repeat that success. The emergence of near neighbours Killyon in the last 30 years has not helped and is perhaps all the more reason why the persistence of the village is to be admired. 1999 - A reasonable year After winning the Intermediate Hurling title in 1995 the club found itself as the unfortunate victim of the new format in the hurling championship and were forced to remain in the grade instead of being promoted. They accepted that stoically and their efforts were rewarded last year when they took that title for the fifth time and achieved senior status. 1999 was a year of consolidation. Two draws versus Rathmolyon and Athboy accompanied by two losses to Killyon and Kilmessan and the award of two points by the county board after Trim's elimination from the competition was sufficient to see them retain senior status. "Remaining in the senior grade of hurling was our main target this year and in that we were successful - just about," says club secretary George Stagg. "It was all about consolidation and we feel we have the players and setup to repeat that more comfortably after our first campaign in the top grade" continues Stagg. "The enthusiasm for hurling never wanes and we are looking forward to next year. Already we are planning for that and the potential for improvement is huge," he states. "We were a little disappointed by the junior 2 hurling performances" he concluded Stagg. Football has also always been a strong part of the makeup of the south Meath club. Junior Football titles in 1939, 1959, 1985, Intermediate 1942, Under 14 in 1990, U15 in 1992, U21 in 1994, minor finalists in 1993; quite a lot of success. Those recent underage success' would indicate an underlying potential that has not been realised. "After being unlucky not to overcome Kells in the 1997 Under 21 replay we were disappointed not to make a little more progress, fielding teams in Junior B and Junior C. There is a lot of potential here and I expect they will produce it in the next few years," comments George. "Our recent AGM resulted in a review of our football setup. Christy O'Brien has taken over as team manager and along with Tony Dixon and Michael 'Stoney' Burke have been given a mandate to find a team trainer," concluded the club secretary. There can be no doubting the serious intent of the club on all fronts. Before concluding we should record the fact that the club have fielded underage teams in hurling for the first time in a long while. Under Tony Healy and Gerry Ennis's guidance expect more Longwood underage teams to participate in the various championships. Having discussed the set up with George I was left in no doubt about their intentions for the future. As ever he asked to give special mention to all the voluntary efforts of the club members, particularly the ladies who always provide that much needed cup of sustainance during and after games. Last word to the enthusiastic secretary. "We have now a fine facility and while appreciating our geographical location within the county we would like to appeal for more fixtures particularly during the summer." Longwood are particularly helpful with Colleges fixtures and their efforts are worthy of recognition. We will hear a lot more from them in the years ahead - have no doubt. Longwood net U15 FL Div. 3 title First half goals from the boots of Aaron Ennis and Joe Quinn set Longwood on their way to victory in the final of the U15 FL Div. 3 against Dunboyne. Played in October, Clonee was the venue for the decider and 2-8 to 1-6 was the final score. Dunboyne drew first blood when they found the net early in the first half but Longwood recovered quickly and those strikes by Ennis and Quinn along with a string of points from Wayne Leonard gave them a 2-6 to 1-2 lead at the break. Dunboyne battled bravely in the second half but they found the Longwood defence too difficult to break down, and although the winner's could only muster a further two points they fully deserved their success. Oliver Colgan, Shane Ryan, Karl Ennis, Wayne Leonard, Vincent Byrne, Rory Maguire and Aaron Ennis excelled for the winners. Longwood - T. Maguire; O. Colgan, D. Stack; B. Fulham, S. Ryan, K. Ennis; W. Leonard (0-5), V. Byrne; A. Ennis (1-2), M. Burke, D. Duignan; R. Maguire (0-1), J. Quinn (1-0). Sub - A. Kelly Tweet

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