AHL Division 3:  Longwood 3-16 Kiltale 2-14

Longwood secured their first points of the 2026 league with a deserved victory over Kiltale on Saturday evening.  

Fielding a team that contained a mixture of youth and experience, Longwood showed much improved levels of skill and energy compared to previous matches.

Despite a shaky start which included the concession of two goals, the home team played some excellent hurling and were in control for the majority of the contest.   The return of U20 stars, Brian Stagg and Conor Dixon, gave the team a great boost and both were conspicuous throughout; Stagg putting the shackles on a variety of Kiltale forwards and Dixon causing all sorts of problems for the Kiltale rearguard with his searing pace and willingness to shoot.  He combined well with Kevin Heagney in the full forward line, with the pair registering 3-4 between them, and it could have been more!

Further out the field the work rate of the Longwood players really stood out.  Oft unsung players like Tomás O’Brien, Sam King, Sean Sheridan and Sean Kelly gave excellent performances and were often the instigators of attacks that were clinically finished by the inside forward line and Ryan Moore, who picked off some fine points from distance.

The return to form of Conor M Dixon, excellent from placed balls and in feeding his forward line, was another positive on an excellent night for Longwood. 

Special mention for our keepers – captain Mark Kennedy who played the first half despite a serious hamstring injury and Ross Healy who came on for the second half and pulled off a couple of outstanding saves as Kiltale emptied their bench and threatened to work their way back into the game.

Special word too for referee Jimmy Greville who refereed the game with common sense, letting the game flow, where possible.  It resulted in a very entertaining game for the spectators.   

So a much-needed win for Longwood - two points on the board and a foundation upon which we can build.

Longwood:  Mark Kennedy (Capt.), Tomás O’Brien, Brian Stagg (0-1), Sean Kelly, Sam King, Anthony Healy (0-2), Conor M Dixon (0-6), Ryan Moore (0-3), Sean Sheridan, Ben McLoughlin, Thomas Dorran, Rian Duffy, William Phillips, Kevin Heagney (2-2), Conor Dixon (1-2). Subs Ross Healy for Mark Kennedy


On a sad note, both teams observed a minute’s silence prior to the throw-in as a mark of respect for Lisa Mulligan who sadly passed earlier this weekend.  Bob, Tyler, Dylan, Sean and the wider Mulligan family, tremendous supporters of Longwood GAA, are in our thoughts and prayers at this incredibly sad time.  

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.