This time last year, pre-season training plans had barely been hatched, while here today we continue to bask in the glow of championship success for our senior hurlers and ladies football teams. Years like these don’t come along too often.
That said, it must be noted that Longwood has produced similar years in the not-too-distant past.
2009 saw us win the Intermediate Hurling Championship and the Junior Football Championship in Meath, further embellished by winning the Leinster Junior Football Club Championship.
2018 brought further glory, a historic Intermediate Football Championship, a plethora of juvenile trophies and the hosting of Féile Peil Na nÓg.
For a small club nestled in the south of the county, we do pack a fair punch!
Winter/Spring
The first game on our pitch in 2024 was an incredibly special event.
Club legend Mickey Burke was to earn his 200th cap for his beloved Meath and the fixture was scheduled to take place on the field where it all began. Chairperson Frank Scully and his committee ensured that the club grounds were looking resplendent on the big day and the weather gods played their part, giving us a beautifully crisp day in mid-January, ideal for a game of hurling. The fact that Down defeated Meath in the Kehoe Cup encounter mattered little. Burkey’s fantastic achievement had been rightfully honoured and the man himself was mobbed by his adoring fans, before and after the game. A fantastic day for player, club and county. And a brilliant way to start the year. In relation to the club, the season began as normal. Or did it?
The pre-season training organised by Aaron Ennis and Barry Clarke seemed to have more punch than in previous years. The management’s efforts to improve fitness levels would bear fruit.
The addition of 6 or 7 rookies to the senior panel also served to freshen things up and bring renewed enthusiasm to the group.
With our county men, and we have many, preparing for National Leagues, this group of new young players were crucially important and they would see lots of game time in the opening half of the season. This will benefit them greatly in the coming years.
Our second team hit the ground running, three good victories saw them qualify for the Reserve Cup Final. A journey to Meath Hill was always going to be a tough task and with the home support in typically hostile form, Longwood lost out 1-13 to 1-8.
By now the club was a hive of activity with all juvenile teams and our nursery back in action. An appropriate time to thank all our amazing coaches who dedicate so much of their time, a scarce commodity, to help our young players to develop their skills and foster a love of our games and our club. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir!
Spring/Summer
Our senior hurlers started the league well, chalking up six consecutive victories, the last of which was against a previously unbeaten Rathmolyon team, and this win pretty much guaranteed the boys a place in the league final.
One particular highlight of the league came on a Thursday evening in a typically cold and windswept Grangegodden, when Enda and Conor Dixon (father & son) both lined for Longwood. A proud day for the Dixon family, who have been stalwarts of Longwood GAA for many a long day. Ultimately the league ended in disappointment with Longwood losing out to Kilskyre/Moylagh after a thrilling final. On the upside, many of our young players had been involved in most of the league games and with the likes of Damien Healy, Mickey Burke and Billy Hogan set to return, having completed their intercounty commitments, an air of optimism prevailed with championship on the horizon. Sure there's no harm in dreaming……….
Another early season highlight came on May 8th when Longwood’s U17 girls travelled to Skryne to take on their hosts in the U17 Division 3 league final. Far from being overawed by the occasion, Longwood’s girls produced an outstanding display of football and completely outplayed their opponent, winning emphatically on a 3-11 to 1-7 scoreline. Longwood captain, Amy Brady accepted the cup on behalf of her team much to the delight of the large travelling support.
Summer/Autumn
Our U11 Footballers experienced the thrill of a lifetime when they got the chance to play in Croke Park in August. It was a day that players, coaches and supporters will cherish forever. A huge thank you to Padraig Barron for organising this special event.
Longwood’s Mothers & Others also experienced the joy of playing in Croke Park this summer. A magical day for this group of ladies who go from strength to strength with each passing year.
With Sam Maguire travelling north to Armagh and Liam McCarthy having secured safe lodging in Clare for the rest of the year, club championship could now take centre stage.
With three rounds of senior hurling scheduled before the intermediate football championship would commence, Longwood could focus on the small ball for the month of July.
The opening round saw them face Blackhall Gaels in a repeat of last year’s group game. There was to be an altogether different result this time around as our boys, led by an imperious Sean Coloe, dominated the game and racked up a highly impressive 2-28 during the hour.
With the result never in any doubt, manager Aaron Ennis was able to give championship debuts to five young players on the hallowed ground of Páirc Tailteann. A memorable day for these boys.
The next two games would see Longwood lose out to Killyon and snatch a draw against Na Fianna in a pair of absorbing local derbies. An agonising one-point defeat to eventual senior champions Ratoath, arguably the boys finest performance of the season, and a loss to Kiltale ensured we would play out the remainder of the season in the inaugural Senior B Championship.
Longwood/Killyon’s minor hurlers were also performing well and qualified to face Boardsmill/Rathmolyon in the league final. The loss of a number of players due to holidays proved to be too much to overcome, the team losing out by three points in a very competitive game. The boys would continue their good form, going through their championship group undefeated before losing out to a strong Ashbourne team in the semi-final. While there was no silverware to show for their efforts, the team performed to a high level and hopes are high that they can develop further next year with the vast majority of the panel due to return as minors.
Our Intermediate footballers were drawn in a very difficult group and despite a couple of strong performances, they didn’t manage to reach the knock-out stages. A relegation play-off against Blackhall Gaels (they must be sick of the sight of us!) saw Longwood squeeze home after extra time. Intermediate football secured for 2025 and several new players blooded in adult football. An acceptable outcome, particularly when we were missing key players due to injury and suspension throughout the competition.
Longwood/Killyon’s U12 Hurlers also deserve a special mention after their success in the annual Ardclough tournament. With teams from a number of counties taking part, Longwood/Killyon went through the competition unbeaten, qualifying to play Clonguish (Longford) in the final. The teams were evenly matched throughout and even two periods of extra time could not separate them. They shared the glory and the spoils. A great day for this fine young team.
Autumn/Winter
Despite the evenings getting ever shorter, there was a buzz of excitement in Longwood with our Senior Hurlers and Junior D Ladies on their respective championship marches.
The hurlers qualified for the Senior B Final after a tense semi-final battle with Dunderry. Longwood prevailed despite the worrying concession of five goals. There was work to be done, and done it was. No goals were conceded in the final.
The Senior B Final was scheduled for Trim on October 12th. It was to be a rematch with Na Fianna. Longwood played with the wind at their backs in the first half yet led by just two points at half-time. A fantastic team goal, powerfully finished by Billy Hogan proved to be the decisive score and despite some tense late moments, Longwood held on for a deserved victory. Captain Sean Coloe was presented with the Kit Mitchell Cup and the celebrations kicked off. They are due to end any day now!
A week later, the black and white army of Longwood supporters were on the road again. This time the destination was Dunganny where we gathered to cheer on our Ladies in the Junior D Championship Final. As in 2023, Carnaross provided the opposition.
The teams produced a fantastic game of attacking, free-flowing football. With Louise Codd, Laura Donegan and Millie-Rose Russell very much to the fore, Longwood asserted their dominance in the second half and reached the promised land on a 6-8 to 4-7 scoreline. Another week of celebration ensued, just reward for these girls who have shown amazing resilience over the past few years.
As we entered November club activities were very much on the wind down save for one last day of excitement. Our U7, U9 and U11 Footballers welcomed their counterparts from Allenwood for a Go Games Blitz. Padraig Barron and his crew organised a memorable event which was enjoyed by players and supporters alike. It was a great way to bring down the curtain on a great year for our youngest players. We’ve no doubt they will have been inspired by the exploits of our adult teams, and we look forward to seeing them shine in a Longwood jersey in the coming years.
With events on the pitch now at an end, attention turned to off the field activities. Our club AGM saw our executive elected for the coming year. Chairperson Frank Scully continues to give great leadership and we have big plans in store for 2025. Watch this space!
In addition, our new juvenile committee has been established with Padraig Barron (Juvenile Chairperson) and Edel Quinn (Juvenile Secretary) leading the way. Exciting times ahead.
As we turn the page on another year, we say a big THANK YOU to all our players, coaches, supporters and volunteers for your ongoing support of our fantastic club. We wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you up at the pitch when the games kick off again in the Spring.
2024 has been an amazing year for Longwood, if next year is half as good then we are in for a treat!
