Longwood on qualification verge

Narrow victory keeps the prospects of title success alive Considering the travails they've experienced since returning to the SHC Longwood might have been expected to end up grappling with relegation this year. Instead they find themselves on the verge of a place in the quarter-finals and on the evidence of this display at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday afternoon they thoroughly deserve to be in the mix. Three wins from three outing constitutes a brilliant start to their campaign and while none of the victories were against major forces in Meath hurling Longwood this year are a formidable outfit. Under manager Nick Weir they have become a fit, tight unit capable of causing anybody problems. They contributed to a fast-paced entertaining contest which they deserved to win - just about. They were ahead by 1-4 to 0-6 at the interval and just about managed to stay in front for most of a second-half that held the attention of the small crowd right to the end. The scoreboard at Pairc Tailteann wasn't working due to a technical problem and at half-time officials were taking stick for that. "Where's the scoreboard," shouted a few punters at the interval and their frustration was understandable as supporters could have done with it especially in the second-half as the teams exchanged score for score to set up an exciting finale. Longwood's victory was all the more commendable as they had to start without Mickey Burke who failed a fitness test Sunday morning. Weir's side made a bright start. They looked sharp and possessed a first touch that helped them get an edge on their opponents. They took an early 0-3 to 0-2 lead when in the 14th minute they netted their opening goal. Jim Dorran made a storming run through the middle, drew a few defenders before finding Anthony Healy who made the net dance. Healy was to the fore for Longwood all afternoon and his 1-3 tally indicated how he could transform possession into scores in the blink of an eye. At right-corner-forward was Ryan Moore, a 17-year-old who has a big future in the game. This was his first start in a SHC match and he showed lots of pace and skill, slotting over a nice point for good measure. It says a lot for Longwood that six players got on the scoresheet with Eoin Lynch, Rory Maguire and Bernard Reilly others to send over points while Aaron Ennis grabbed his team's second goal. Reilly's tally of three points from play was particularly noteworthy. At centre-back Damien Healy gave a man-of-the-match display while Ray Dorran and Karl Ennis impressed each side of him. Arron Ennis's goal came five minutes into the second-half when he hit a long ball from midfield that fell just short. Boardsmill goalkeeper Peter McLoughlin put up his stick to make a save, but to his dismay it skidded off his hurley into the net. That score was a cruel blow for McLoughlin and Boardsmill who looked at certain stages of the game as if they were poised to push on to win the day. As hard as they tried Boardsmill just couldn't make up for that setback yet they can still take plenty of encouragement from this game. Their goal was most unusual with Vinny Guy and Jim Bird involved in getting the ball to Jim Pratt out on the right wing and 35 metres out. He hit it perhaps looking for a point. The ball dipped beyond Alan Ennis and under the bar. Midway through the first-half when Boardsmill trailed by 0-2 to 1-3 it looked like the game was going to slip away from them. Yet they never gave up hope. With only 11 minutes remaining they trailed by just a point (2-7 to 1-11) and missed some decent chances after that to at least draw level. Instead Longwood pulled away. Boardsmill relied on lot on Bird for scores with his accuracy from frees helping him clock up eight points. Five of those came from placed balls. Despite producing plenty enterprising play Boardsmill were unable to impose themselves on the game and instead Longwood completed their hat-trick of victories. Longwood - A Ennis; D Maguire, E Dixon, C Lynch; R Dorran, D Healy, K Ennis; E Lynch (0-1), A Ennis (1-1); R Maguire (0-1), J Dorran, R Ennis; R Moore (0-1), B Reilly (0-3), A Healy (1-3). Subs - M Birmingham for R Ennis half-time; J Mahon for J Dorran 44mins; C Byrne for Birmingham 62m. Boardsmill - P McLoughlin; F Smith, N McLoughlin, V Guy; P Guy, D Farrell, D Kealy; B McLoughlin, N Weir (0-2); J Pratt (1-0), T Reilly (0-1), T Leonard; J Bird (0-8 six frees), S Gibbons, G Jones. Sub - J Dunne for Guy. Referee - Conor Ferguson (Gaeil Colmcille).