Longwood’s senior hurlers played their first game of the 2026 season on Saturday afternoon and, despite looking understandably rusty at times, the players produced a typically gritty performance before running out of steam in the final quarter.

Fielding a largely inexperienced team, Longwood carried sufficient threat over the hour to ensure the Tones could never rest on their laurels.  

Gavin Griffith gave a typically industrious display from midfield while Kevin Heagney and Paul Gill carried the fight to the opposing defence throughout the contest.  This, combined with Anthony Healy’s trademark accuracy, meant the boys were always within touching distance.  Indeed a run of three consecutive points just after the interval saw them take a deserved lead before Wolfe Tones responded with a run of scores, including their second goal.

Try as they might, Longwood could not bridge the gap, ultimately losing out by seven points.

Longwood: Ross Healy, David Coloe, Mark Kennedy (Capt.) Sean Kelly, Tomás O’Brien, Anthony Healy (1-9), Sam King, Gavin Griffith (0-2), William Phillips, Ben McLoughlin, Thomas Dorran, Paul Gill (0-1), Sean Carpenter, Kevin Heagney (0-1), Rian Duffy. Subs: Harry Leigh for Carpenter

Special mention 1:  Well done to Sean Kelly, William Phillips and Rian Duffy who made their senior debuts for Longwood.  All three lads played very well and they have a bright future ahead of them 

Special mention 2: huge credit to Sean Carpenter and Harry Leigh, both footballers by trade but were willing to pick up a hurley on Saturday to ensure we could field a team.  Proper club men!

Maigh Dearmhaí abú!!  🤍🖤