Longwood kicked their Premier Football Championship campaign off in impressive fashion with a well-deserved win over Donaghmore/Ashbourne on Sunday morning.

The pitch was presented in pristine condition, great credit due to Enda Dixon and his family for lining the pitch on Saturday evening.  A job in Croke Park surely awaits!

Longwood’s youthful team, under the stewardship of Jim Mahon, hit the ground running, racing into a 1-5 to 0-0 lead in the opening quarter.  

With David Coloe, Sam Dixon and Adrian Maguire pulling the strings in the middle third, the powerful running of Malachy Fisher and Louis Butler caused all sorts of problems for the opposing defence.  It was Quin Fisher, the elder of the Fisher brothers, who raised the green flag with a fine finish to the back of the Donaghmore/Ashbourne net.  

 Further points from Malachy Fisher, Adam Peacock and Aaron Murray saw the home team take a 1-8 to 0-4 advantage to the half-time break.  

Both sets of players will have appreciated the break and a chance to take on some much needed water on what was a sweltering morning.

Longwood managed the second half very well, keeping their opponents at arm’s length at all times.  They matched their opponents score for score and never looked like losing their grip on the game.

The final whistle saw the scoreboard read Longwood 1-12 Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-8.

Longwood: Kevin Maguire, Jason Kerrigan, Cian O’Sullivan, Lorcan Hannon, Kieran Murtagh, Mark Kennedy, Coyle O’Brien, Sam Dixon, Adrian Maguire (0-4), Louis Butler, (0-1), Quin Fisher (1-0), Adam Peacock (0-1), Malachy Fisher (0-4), David Coloe, Aaron Murray (0-2).  Subs: Josh Meagher for Aaron Murray, Jim Mahon for Mark Kennedy, Enda Dixon.

So a good start for the lads, next up is a trip to Paddy O’Brien Park to take on Navan O’Mahonys in a couple of weeks.