Another highly impressive display from Ballinlough's second string saw them achieve a high scoring victory over Longwood in this Junior D clash on Friday evening.

Ballinlough: 5-13
Longwood: 2-3

Both sides went into this encounter unbeaten in the competition to date, but it soon became apparent that the 'Lough would be the ones to keep that record come the full time whistle.

Longwood opened the scoring in the second minute with a well converted free kick, but just moments later Ballinlough had taken the lead when speedy young forward Jonathan Francis Montgomery continued his recent impressive scoring form with a superb finish to the back of the net.

It wasn't long before the Reds were celebrating another goal, this time Adam Fox put the finishing touch to the move after some great work by James Baugh around the middle of the field. Their lead was extended further with some rapid points scored by Francis Montgomery, Fox and James O'Higgins.

Francis Montgomery picked up his second goal of the afternoon midway through the half, largely thanks to some great play by Simon Deevy in the middle of the park, to extend his sides lead to eleven points. Ballinlough's superior fitness and strength in depth was really beginning to show, as Longwood struggled to build any meaningful attacks.

The constant running of the 'Loughs half back line of Paul Monaghan, Emmet Smith and Dylan Francis Montgomery was causing huge problems for their opponents defence. Monaghan soon got rewarded for his hard work, finishing off a great team move with a powerful finish past the Longwood keeper. Unfortunately, that proved to be his last involvement in the game as he was forced off with an ankle injury.

Ballinlough continued to dominate in the closing stages of the half and picked up a number of impressive points, with O'Higgins in particular making good use of his opportunities. There was an eighteen point differential between the sides at the change of ends, the Lough leading by 4-8 to 0-2.

The first score of the second period was another goal for Ballinlough, as O'Higgins confidently dispatched a penalty kick. The 'Lough introduced a number of subs at this stage, with Seamus Fagan particularly impressive, as the veteran midfielder began to dominate the aerial clashes around the centre of the pitch, and also displayed his shooting prowess with a great point.

The Reds continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over with scores coming from numerous sources. Paddy Briody curled a great point over the black spot, before James Baugh got a great score after a surging run from defence. Substitutes James Lydon and Matthew McInerney were also on form once introduced, both splitting the posts with great scores.

James O'Higgins closed the scoring for the 'Lough with a trademark freekick, before Longwood got a brace of consolation goals in the closing minutes. Ballinlough ran out nineteen point winners, and will be delighted with their dominant performance.

Ballinlough: L. Gibney, M. Farrell, J. O'Keefe, J. Farrelly, P. Monaghan, E. Smith, D. Francis Montgomery, J. Baugh, S. Deevy, P. Briody, J. O'Higgins, N. Farrelly, J. Francis Montgomery, K. Rothwell, A. Fox. Subs: O. Brady, S. Fagan, J. Lydon, M. McInerney, D. Farrelly, C. Gaughran, T. Fagan. 

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