Longwood’s hurlers secured their first competitive victory of the season with victory over Wolfe Tones at a bright and breezy Kilberry on Sunday afternoon.

While the margin of victory may indicate a comfortable victory, the game was competitive throughout with Longwood only stretching clear in the final quarter.

Wolfe Tones opened the scoring with an early point from play. It was to be their only lead; Longwood’s response was swift, Anthony Healy converting two frees before Ryan Moore raised a green flag courtesy of a shot from distance that deceived the Wolfe Tones goalkeeper and dipped under the crossbar. The Wood maintained their advantage up to the interval, taking a 1-5 to 0-6 advantage to the half-time break.

The small Longwood support could have been forgiven for fearing the worst when Anthony Healy was unable to take his place for the second half. The ace marksman had landed awkwardly, jarring his knee, at the end of the opening period – we can only hope it is not too serious.

Despite being numerically disadvantaged for the second half, Longwood played some excellent hurling. The work-rate was much improved on previous games with Paul Gill, Gavin Griffith and Ross Kerrigan particularly industrious. Seán Coloe and Ryan Moore became dominant in midfield and full back Joe Stenson took to the skies with some excellent high fielding.

A series of excellent points from Ryan Moore, Sean Coloe and Karl Ennis maintained Longwood’s dominance on the scoreboard and the game was essentially sealed when Ennis set up Quin Fisher with a well-timed pass and the powerful young forward drilled the ball to the Tones’ net.

So an important and overdue victory for Longwood. The win should build confidence as the boys prepare for the remaining rounds of the league.

Longwood: Alan O’Toole, Johnny Furey, Joe Stenson, Cathal Campbell, Gavin Griffith, Ross Kerrigan, David Dixon, Anthony Healy (0-4), Ryan Moore (1-6), Quin Fisher (1-0), Paul Gill, Karl Ennis (0-1), Jim Dorran, Sean Coloe (0-1), Mark Kennedy.

There is no rest (and you could argue, no respect) for our dual players as they face into an important football league game away to Donaghmore Ashbourne on Tuesday night.