While the desired victory did not materialise, Longwood produced a much-improved performance in their final group game, narrowly losing out to Blackhall Gaels after a typically hard-fought championship encounter.

It was the classic game of two halves with Longwood dominant for the opening half while the boys from Blackhall got on top after the interval.

Longwood supporters will have been impressed by a number of excellent performances; Kevin Heagney was constant thorn in the opposing defence, bagging an impressive three goals and one point across the hour.  Sean Coloe and Ryan Moore also impressed with their accurate shooting, but it was half forward Ben McLoughlin who really impressed with his tireless running and appetite for work.

Given the group standings, the result was largely irrelevant, but the performance will give the boys a solid foundation on which to build as they begin the defence of their Senior B title.

Longwood: Enda Dixon, Kevin Maguire, Niall Mulvey, Brian Stagg, Joe Stenson, Mickey Burke (Capt), Billy Hogan, Gavin Griffith (1-0), Ryan Moore (0-3), Conor M Dixon, Sean Coloe (0-8), Sean Sheridan, Ben McLoughlin, Kevin Heagney (3-1), Mark Kennedy (0-1). Subs – Ross Healy for Kevin Maguire, Adrian Maguire, David Coloe.

Next up is a Senior B Championship quarter-final against an in-form Dunderry team on Sunday 21st September.