On the weekend that the Premier League returned to our screens, this senior hurling encounter may have resembled a Manchester City, with their vast resources, against a hard-working and committed band of brothers such as Brighton.  But the underdog belied the pre-match odds and can feel justifiably hard done by to have walked away with nothing at the end. 

A one point defeat always leaves the vanquished wondering “what if?” and, while there can be no doubt that Saturday’s defeat was an agonising one to bear, it is certainly one that Longwood can take enormous positives from.  

Moral victories are no good to anybody but Longwood will have learned that with the right preparation, attitude and level of application, they can present a stern test for any opposition.   

The initial omens did not look particularly good with last year’s beaten finalists registering the opening point with only eight seconds on the clock.

Far from fearing the worst, the Longwood players grasped the nettle and proceeded to dominate the entire first half.  To a man, they thundered into the game showing no respect for their vaunted opponents.  Three points, all from play, from the sticks of Sean Coloe, Ryan Moore and Billy Hogan pushed Longwood into a lead they would retain until deep into the contest.

The teams would trade scores for the remainder of the opening half and Longwood, playing with the wind at their backs, were able to maintain their lead.  Some of the points were of the highest standard.  Sean Coloe continued his fine scoring form with a barrage of long-distance points, the skipper ably supported by Ryan Moore in the scoring stakes.  Moore, looking refreshed and hungry for work, was back to his best in what was his most impressive game of the current season.    

With the interval looming, Longwood led by three points.   Indeed, it could and should have been more were it not for seven wides in the opening period.  What if?

But the missed opportunities did not deter the men in white, rather it seemed to spur them on and they got their just desserts when a long delivery caused confusion in the Ratoath full back line and Karl Ennis pounced on the loose ball, finishing it to the net with a precise strike.  A real poacher’s finish.

This gave Longwood a six-point lead at the break, and nobody could argue that it wasn’t fully deserved.

 Half-time: Longwood 1-11 Ratoath 0-8

A second half blitzkrieg was expected but it didn’t materialise.  Indeed, Longwood extended their advantage to seven points after ten minutes thanks to early scores from Sean Coloe, Ryan Moore and Anthony Healy.

The underdogs were continuing to bite.  

And then the first of two self-inflicted wounds.  Longwood were awarded a sideline ball deep in their own half; they lost possession and the sliotar ended up in the hands of Cian Rogers who extracted maximum punishment with an emphatic finish.  Hope for Ratoath, a jolt for Longwood.  

Ratoath would score three of the next four points to reduce the deficit to just two points. A perilous lead.  By now, Padraig O’Hanrahan was finding the target from frees with increasing regularity.  

Longwood kicked on again with a pair of Anthony Healy points taking them four clear.  The following two minutes were to prove pivotal – Ratoath tagging on 1-2 in quickfire fashion.  The goal will really annoy Longwood’s players and management given that it originated from an unnecessary turnover.  What if?

With eight minutes remaining, Longwood found themselves a point in arrears.  The temptation to drop their heads may have flashed through their minds.  Not today.  They responded in style.  Another point from Sean Coloe was backed up with a monster point from the terrace side of Páirc Tailteann by midfield powerhouse, Billy Hogan.  Hogan was a tower of strength throughout the contest and caused endless problems for his opponent.

Ratoath, to their credit, countered with three successive points and this ultimately proved to be the difference.  Despite a late flurry of frantic attacks, Longwood could not fashion an equaliser, and the final whistle soon followed.

Full-time: Longwood 1-20 Ratoath 2-18

So defeat for Longwood but the lasting impression is that it will lift rather than deflate the team.  Aaron Ennis will impress upon his charges the need to take the many positives from this contest.  The bar has been set and the challenge must now be to replicate it.

Rather than "what if?" the question must be "why not again?"

Young players Conor Dixon and Ben McLoughlin really announced themselves on the senior stage.  Dixon saw off multiple opponents throughout the hour while McLoughlin worked selflessly and created a number of scoring opportunities for his team mates.  A special mention too for Adam Leacy who gave a barnstorming display, by far his most accomplished in a Longwood jersey.
 

Longwood: Mark Kennedy, Adam Leacy, Mickey Burke, Ross Kerrigan, Conor Dixon, Damien Healy, Joy Stenson, Brian Stagg, Bob Maguire, Anthony Healy (0-4), Billy Hogan (0-3), Ryan Moore (0-6), Karl Ennis (1-0), Sean Coloe (0-7), Ben McLoughlin.  Subs: Malachy Fisher for Brian Stagg, David Coloe, Enda Dixon, Kevin Maguire, Kieran Murtagh, Fionn Hannon, Thomas Dorran.

Next up for Longwood is a battle with Ballivor in the Intermediate Football Championship.  The teams collide next Sunday in Clonard.