Longwood’s wait for a first league victory goes on after another narrow defeat, this time at the hands of Ratoath on Sunday morning.

It was the ultimate game of two halves.  Despite being the home team, Longwood were noticeably flat in the opening 20 minutes.  Second to the ball, misplacing passes and struggling to win primary possession were obvious symptoms and this allowed their visitors to build up a 0-10 to 0-01 lead after twenty minutes.    

Credit to Longwood, the boys eventually stopped the bleeding and a two-pointer from a Harry Hogan free held the gap to nine points at the interval.

After the break Longwood were transformed.  They seemed a yard quicker, their minds sharper as they hunted the breaking ball with greater urgency.  They totally dominated the second half; Harry Hogan’s accuracy from placed balls combined with a well-taken goal from David Coloe, reeled in Ratoath and with ten minutes to play the gap was down to a single point.  

Unfortunately, that was as close as it got.  Chances to tie the game, and even take the lead, were spurned and Ratoath were able to stumble over the finish line.

Longwood: Anthony Healy, Coyle O’Brien, Dominic Finnegan, Kevin Maguire, Adrian Maguire, Conor Dixon, Cian Swan, Harry Leigh, Harry Hogan (0-9), Tomás O’Brien, David Coloe (1-0), Thomas Dorran, Sean Sheridan (0-1), Ciaran Sheridan (0-1), William Phillips.  Subs: Gavin Griffith for Dorran, Cian O’Sullivan for Swan, Conor M Dixon for Phillips, Sam King, Sam Dixon, Jason Kerrigan

So, a spirited second half from Longwood and something to build on.  But they will know that the losing habit must be broken in the next round.

Maigh Dearmhaí abú!!  🏁🏁