Longwood have finally claimed their rightful place at the senior hurling table. Royal County examines the successful championship year. Longwood's march to the senior ranks of Meath Hurling was nothing short of inevitable considering the amount of talent and skill which was available to the selectors. However, they made hard work of disposing Kilmessan in the decider and needed two games before eventually overcoming the senior club who have now failed to claim the IHC title two years in a row. However, very few could begrudge the south Meath side their victory as they won promotion to the senior ranks three years ago only to be denied a place in the SHC following a decision by the county board to introduce a promotion - relegation play off for intermediate and senior clubs. Longwood were devastated by the decision of the hurling board to leave the ranks as they were for that year. The next two years were very hard for the club because they rightly felt they deserved a place in the senior ranks but now they had to go and do it all again because bureaucracy denied them their rightful place. However, for the 1998 season Longwood approached their task with a whole new outlook and the arrival of the Dorran's from Killyon strengthened their squad to such an extent that they were once again genuine contenders for outright honours. Aside from the Dorran's there were also a number of young promising hurlers available to the selectors, and if these players could shine and receive the proper coaching then Longwood were pretty confident of winning their fifth IHC title. The four previous occasions on which Longwood did win the intermediate title, 1995, 1982, 1968 and 1964, they failed to make an impact on the senior ranks which was dominated at the time by the likes of Trim, Kilmessan, Killyon, Boardsmill and O'Mahonys. But now with talented, skilful hurlers such as Enda Dixon, who was on the Meath senior squad, Daragh Maguire, Michael Healy and Alan Ennis, Longwood's stay in the senior division should be prolonged and if the current rate of progression is maintained then the prospect of challenging for senior honours is not too far away. Longwood were handed a tough group in the IHC with last year's beaten finalists Kilmessan and a very strong Killyon outfit obvious major threats to their ambition. Killyon were on a rebuilding plan and were using the IHC campaign as a platform to return to their glory days. Without any disrespect to Baconstown, they were the weakest team in the group and they really stood no chance against the three major powers of intermediate hurling in Meath, Longwood, Kilmessan and Killyon. However, they did put up a spirited show against Longwood but the 1995 champions were far too strong and comfortably sealed the win. Kilmessan were the first major obstacle in Longwood's way and as happened in the final the sides played out a thrilling draw. The Longwood outfit led 2-4 to 1-3 at the break in that clash but Kilmessan rallied back strongly through Michael Dennehy and Barry McGuinness to race into a three points lead with just minutes to go. However, Kilmessan didn't count on one of Longwood's new players as Ray Dorran struck an equalising goal in the last minute to earn his side a deserved draw and ensure that neither side got off to a losing start, which would have dented the chance of both sides meeting in the decider. Next up for Longwood were Killyon and many people thought that this could be a major stumbling block for the all-whites. However, as they did against Kilmessan they hurled magnificently as a unit and completely destroyed a highly talented and much fancied Killyon side which numerous people, allegedly in the know, though would be future IHC champions. Longwood's defence was outstanding on this occasion, in particular Paul McCooey, Daragh Maguire and David Dorran, as they restricted Killyon to a miserly 1-3 for the hour, while in attack Enda Dixon, with three fine points, Michael Healy and Martin Ennis were in superb form. That magnificent victory set up a semi-final meeting with Dunboyne and with Longwood hurling on the crest of a wave and confidence soaring it was going to take a very determined effort from Dunboyne to overcome such a strong and determined outfit. Dunboyne performed heroics to qualify from their group and after overcoming the likes of Donaghmore/Ashbourne, Athboy and last years beaten finalists, Kilskyre, Longwood's players and mentors knew that Dunboyne would be a tough nut to crack and therefore they took nothing for granted going into their semi-final clash. That attitude helped greatly when they took field and they treated Dunboyne with the utmost respect. The game started slowly with Longwood approaching the challenge very cautiously. However, they soon realised that they had the winning of the game in their own hands and they raced into a 1-5 to 0-3 half time lead with Tony Healy grabbing their goal. The second period resumed along the same pattern as the first had commenced with Longwood treating their opponents with caution. Again their solid rearguard were in full control and despite conceding a second half goal they never looked in danger and advanced to a final clash with Kilmessan on a 1-9 to 1-7 scoreline. It was the pairing that all neutrals wanted in the intermediate decider with the two strongest sides in the competition clashing in a repeat of their second round clash earlier in the season. There was so little between the sides on that occasion that every so called expert couldn't predict a clear cut winner and yet again most could not rule out a draw and how right they were. After a dull curtainraiser between Trim and Drumree in the JHC, Athboy came alive when Longwood and Kilmessan clashed to serve up a feast of fine hurling that had both sets of fans chewing their nails in the final moments as Longwood struck back late to earn a draw, just as they had done in their earlier clash with Kilmessan. Defeat would have been an injustice for Longwood who led 1-7 to 1-3 at the break in the final, and indeed it was only when Kilmessan introduced Barry McGuinness that Longwood started to struggle. McGuinness netted a couple of goals as Kilmessan raced into a three points lead well into injury time. However, Longwood were not to be denied and when Michael Healy rifled a 21 metre free to the back of the net to level the scores 2-11 to 3-8, Jimmy Henry blew his whistle and both sets of supporters went home thankful there would be another day. In the replay, Longwood couldn't help but be heartened by the stunning omission of Barry McGuinness from the Kilmessan line up and as in the initial clash Longwood again assumed control and raced into a 1-5 to 0-2 half time lead with Tom Dorran grabbing their goal following great work from Tony Healy. The second period saw a different Kilmessan side as McGuinness was introduced to the fray and his impact was immediate, scoring a goal to rattle Longwood and sow a seed of doubt into the Longwood player's minds. But that doubt didn't last for long. A new sense of urgency entered their play and despite the concession of four second half goals they produced some very solid hurling and a further goal from Tony Healy sealed a stunning and memorable 2-10 to 4-2 victory, and sealed their place in the senior ranks. Next year promises a lot for the south Meath side and they will be happy to retain their senior status, but knowing the commitment and the passion for the game in the area they will more than hold their own and could well spring a few surprises. Who knows, in the next couple of years they could add the SHC title to their five IHC crowns. FOOTBALL TITLE FOR LONGWOOD Through the years Longwood has been renowned for its hurling ability. This view has been strengthened by the club's recent rise to senior level. However, as their Under 14 footballers proved in the summer, Longwood has an equally bright future in the big ball game. The 'Wood defeated St. Marys in the Football League Division 4 Final at Bective by a scoreline of 2-8 to 2-6. In a very tight game, the south Meath team trailed at half-time by 2-3 to 2-2. But they fought back well to take the rewards. Noteworthy performances for the winners came from Thomas Leonard, Michael Burke, Vincent Byrne, Aaron Ennis, Joseph Quinn and Rory Maguire. The winning Longford team was: T Maguire, L Mooney, M Burke, D Ayres, K Ennis 0-1, D Leonard, B Fulham, V Byrne, O Colgan, A Ennis 1-3, S Ryan 0-1, D Dunigan 0-1, J Quinn, R Maguire 1-2, A Kelly. Tweet

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