Longwood's Leinster title

Before the start of Sunday's Leinster Club JFC final replay against St Mochta's, which produced three red cards, a Longwood official took a look at Pairc Mochta and expressed his doubts that it would suit his team, The home of the Louth champions is a tight, compact pitch and some of the Longwood contingent were clearly concerned that the players would not be able to express themselves fully and utilise the undoubted pace in the team. And the way the opening quarter of this high-tempo, highly entertaining replay went, the more pessimistic Longwood followers had real cause for concern. Little went right for the Meath side in the opening quarter as they spurned a number of good chances. Passes went astray and players looked nervy and uncertain. The strange, if picturesque surroundings, did seem to have an unsettling effect on the visitors. But like they have done so many times this year Longwood dispelled any early doubts to go on to achieve their ambition. They dug deep into their considerable reserves of self-belief and spirit to eventually reach a new plateau for the club. "Leinster champions Stoney," shouted one Longwood official at selector Michael 'Stoney' Burke seconds after the final whistle. There was no need to say any more, to add anything extra. "Leinster champions," was enough. The journey is not over yet as Longwood now have an All-Ireland semi-final to look forward to and a possible place in the final at Croke Park. For the moment this latest triumph in an unforgettable year for the club will provide plenty of good memories and talking points over the festive season. And Sunday's match was certainly not short of drama - or talking points. There was the constant ebb and flow of an engaging contest. There was a missed penalty from Rory Maguire. There was also three red cards, the first to St Mochta's Gary Connolly midway through the second-half. Just like he did in the drawn game Connolly fell foul of the referee Fergal Kelly - who did a good job - and made the long, lonely walk to the sideline. Unlike the drawn game, St Mochta's weren't inspired by the sending off. Instead it was Longwood who pushed on to win. In injury-time the match official again displayed the red, first to St Mochta's full-forward Gervease Marron and a minute later to Longwood's captain Mickey Burke. Despite the three dismissals and nine yellow cards this wasn't a dirty game. It was a tough, uncompromising, physically draining encounter that at times became niggly. Yet there were no outrageous tackles or punches thrown. The cards earned were mostly for 'professional' fouls. It was that kind of contest. The team who got the breaks and who wanted it more would win. And that team turned out to be Longwood. They faced the real prospect of defeat at one stage yet decided it was not for them and drove on. An indication of the problems Longwood had early was reflected in the fact that it took them 12 minutes to register a score, a John Cullinane point from play. At times St Mochta's showed real tenacity at the back to deny their opponents. Yet there was evidence from the game that showed that when it came to defending Longwood were supreme. While four Longwood forwards slotted over points from play only one of the starting St Mochta's attackers managed to get on the scoresheet. That is huge testament to the resolute way the Longwood defenders went about their work. Vincent Byrne was particularly effective in mopping up ball and pushing forward. Maguire finished as his team's top scorer with five points. He didn't start the afternoon too well spurning two good opportunities to split the posts from kickable frees. He did slot over points from frees in the 17th and 20th minutes. Then Longwood were presented with a great chance to get a firm foothold in the game five minutes before the break. Aaron Ennis, who had earned his team a number of frees, got a chance to showcase his burning speed and was hauled down as he cut in towards goal. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. There was a lengthy delay as the referee sorted out some jostling and this didn't help Maguire. When he eventually got around to taking the kick Maguire, who converted a penalty with aplomb the previous week, delivered his shot low and wide. That miss helped St Mochta's go in at the break with a 0-5 to 0-4 advantage. As well as Maguire's two efforts, John Cullinane and Michael Weir also split the posts. The second-half was a real topsy-turvy affair. The sides were level four times. The home side edged ahead mainly through the free-taking skills of Declan Byrne. With 11 minutes remaining the sides stood at 0-8 apiece. Then Longwood found an extra gear. They started to win more breaking ball around midfield. Their passing became crisper. The big crowd in the stand at one side of the pitch shouted and roared. Soon after Maguire set up Aaaron Ennis and the corner-forward fired over from an awkward angle out on the right. That score edged Longwood ahead for the first time. With six minutes to go a superb move which involved James Colgan, Cullinane, Byrne and Maguire ended with Karl Ennis confidently clipping over from 20 metres. It was tense and nervy. Byrne pulled a point back for his side to leave the minimum in it. Wayne Leonard hit the upright before Maguire showed real composure to point from play. St Mochta's full-back Philip Englisby had a late chance to score a dramatic goal. His volley flew over rather than under the bar. The home side attacked again and earned a '45' however, the referee indicated time was up. It was Longwood's day and they were crowned Leinster champions. SCORERS Longwood - R Maguire 0-5, three frees; A Ennis 0-2; M Weir 0-2; K Ennis 0-1; J Cullinane 0-1. St Mochta's - D Byrne 0-6, six frees; P Englishby 0-1; D Gernon 0-1; C Hoey 0-1; N Farrell 0-1. THE TEAMS Longwood - J Cully; C Greene, E Dixon, J Colgan; B Hanna, V Byrne, J Mahon; J Cullinane , M Burke: E Lynch, M Weir, K Ennis; A Ennis, W Leonard, R Maguire. Subs - Chris Lynch for Mahon 46 minutes; G Ennis for K Ennis 61 m. St Mochta's - C Ryan; B Mulholland, P Englishby, P Marron; D Gernon, C Hoey, G Connolly; D Byrne, E O'Neill; L McGranagha, S Crawley, S McMahon; K Meegan, G Marron, N Farrell. Subs - G O'Reilly for McGranaghan 49 minutes. REFEREE Fergal Kelly (Longford).