SFC Group B - Round 4: Longwood 2-11 Donaghmore/Ashbourne 6-21

Longwood's senior football odyssey continued at a sun-splashed Walterstown on Sunday evening.

Despite playing some excellent football in patches, particularly in the second quarter, Longwood just couldn't cope with an impressive Donaghmore/Ashbourne side who laid down a marker for the remainder championship.

Longwood opened the scoring after just a minute, Anthony Healy getting the scoreboard moving with one of his trademark fifty yard free kicks off the deck. With five minutes on the clock the sides were level at two points each. The next twelve minutes saw the men in green reel off six successive points to take control of proceedings. With the odds stacked against them, Longwood refused to yield; a high ball into the opposition goalmouth was fielded by the ever industrious Niall Mulvey and when he was unceremoniously dragged to the ground by the goalkeeper, the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. After a brief consultation with his umpires, the referee compounded the goalkeeper's misery by issuing him with a black card. Sean Coloe stepped up to take the penalty and drilled it confidently to the bottom left corner of the net.

Infused with energy, Longwood scored five points in the following five minutes - a brace from Ryan Moore complemented by scores from Sean Coloe, David Rowley and Anthony Healy. Ashbourne responded with 1-2 before the break to take a four point lead to the dressing rooms at the break, 1-11 to 1-7.

The second half opened with two quick-fire Ashbourne goals, effectively ending the game as a contest. In such a situation it would be easy to down tools but, as always, Longwood displayed great heart and continued to take the game to their opponent. In doing so, they left themselves a little open at the back but they also registered some excellent scores; four points from Mickey Burke and a fantastic goal from Thomas Coloe gave their supporters plenty to cheer.

We must acknowledge that Ashbourne played some excellent football, their power and pace impressing throughout. If they continue in this form they could well have a role to play in the latter stages of the competition.

Longwood: Kevin Maguire, Jacob Baldwin, Chris Lynch, Ross Kerrigan, Damien Healy, Joey Stenson, Mickey Burke (0-5), Niall Mulvey, Anthony Healy (0-2), Coran Byrne, David Rowley (0-1), Thomas Coloe (1-0), Evan Coyle, Sean Coloe (1-1), Ryan Moore (0-2)

Longwood will have at least two more cracks at the senior football championship this year (and hopefully more in 2020). For now, the immediate focus switches to the small ball and an important clash with Dunboyne in the final game of the SHC group stages next weekend.