Longwood’s opening foray into championship 2023 ended in an agonising one-point defeat at the hands of St Peter’s Dunboyne in a sun-splashed Boardsmill on Saturday afternoon.

The men from south Meath will feel that this was one that got away, given that they were the better team for extended periods, despite being numerically disadvantaged for all but 7 minutes of the contest.

Facing into the championship without the injured Damien Healy may have been daunting for many teams but Longwood were quick to settle. Another of the Healy clann, older brother Anthony, signalled his intent by bagging the opening two scores courtesy of a pointed free and a 65.

A couple of Dunboyne wides preceded the game’s main talking point, the dismissal of Longwood forward Karl Ennis. With most eyes focussed on the sliotar, the referee’s attention was drawn to two players grappling on the ground near the Dunboyne 20 metre line. While not to be condoned, this would not be an uncommon occurrence in many championship games. While a yellow card for both seemed the most likely outcome, the intervention of umpires and linesmen resulted in Longwood’s “marathon man” being given the ultimate sanction. It seemed incredibly harsh, even more so in light of the fact that the defender who initiated the entanglement escaped with a yellow card. The fact that Ennis had started the game brightly only magnified the sense of loss.

The next ten minutes saw the teams exchange points and wides in equal measure, leaving the scores tied at just 4 points apiece at the end of the opening quarter.

A quick brace of points from Dunboyne saw them take the lead for the first time. Longwood responded with another Healy free, awarded after an excellent high fetch from Mickey Burke. Only seconds later, Gavin Griffith bore down on goals only to see his shot saved by the Dunboyne keeper. The net-minder’s save seemed to energise his team mates and they tagged on two more quickfire points.

Longwood were now three points in arrears; was the extra man beginning to tell? Not a bit of it!

Ryan Moore expertly collected a pin-point puck out from Mark Kennedy before launching a missile from the middle of the field, the sliotar soaring majestically between the posts. A couple of poor wides from Longwood preceded another Healy point from play. Longwood’s key marksman was on fire and he further emphasised that with a rasping shot to the net as half-time approached. The opening half concluded with a pointed Healy free, ensuring Longwood took a three-point lead to the dressing rooms.

Half-time: Longwood 1-8 St Peter’s Dunboyne 0-8

The opening exchanges of the second half saw the teams trade points before Dunboyne burgled a crucial goal, executing a critical turnover deep in Longwood’s half before finishing to the net. Another gut punch for Longwood.

They responded with trademark tenacity and character, reeling off four successive points from Ryan Moore (2), Anthony Healy and a monster effort from Sean Coloe. Despite picking up a serious hand injury, Coloe carried the fight throughout the hour, delivering a number of shuddering tackles in addition to his contribution on the scoreboard.

Yet another crucial moment arrived with ten minutes to go when referee Mark Reilly awarded a penalty to Longwood. A goal now would stretch the lead to five points, but it was not to be. Anthony Healy struck the ball low and hard, and it looked destined for the bottom corner of the net only for the Dunboyne keeper to divert it around the post with an outstanding save. All credit to Healy, he knocked the resultant 65 over the bar.

Longwood still led by three points with five minutes left on the clock. This all changed when Dunboyne’s county star, Sean Quigley, pounced on a loose ball and drilled it to the Longwood net.

With time running out, every puck and break of the ball was now vital. Healy pointed yet another free, Dunboyne matched it with one of their own. Deep into injury time, the men in black and amber dealt the final killer blow courtesy of a point from Shane McCormack. The referee allowed one more play but unfortunately the boys could not secure the equalising score, the very least that their efforts deserved.

Full-time: Longwood 1-18 St Peter's Dunboyne 2-16

So an opening round defeat by the narrowest of margins. A bitter pill for Longwood to swallow but such are the high stakes of championship hurling. When the sting of losing wears off, the players and management will undoubtedly take many positives from the performance. Having plied their trade in Division 3 of the league, a high intensity championship game can only bring the players on. They will also be well aware that there is significant room for improvement, and improvement will be required with a buoyant Blackhall Gaels awaiting them in little under a fortnight.

Longwood: Mark Kennedy, Paul Gill, Niall Mulvey, Cathal Campbell, Kevin Maguire, Sean Coloe (0-1), Ross Kerrigan, Ryan Moore (0-3), Mickey Burke, Gavin Griffith (0-1), Joe Stenson, Thomas Coloe, David Coloe, Anthony Healy (1-13), Karl Ennis. Subs: Jim Dorran, Sam King, Bob Maguire, Kieran Murtagh