Emmet Óg Killoe claim Longford title with stoppage-time free

Emmet Óg Killoe 1-08 Clonguish 0-10

A pointed free from Mark Hughes deep in stoppage time saw Emmet Óg Killoe win the Longford SFC title for the first time since 2020 at the expense of a gallant Clonguish side.

In what was a real battle between two good footballing teams, the young Clonguish side will rue missed chances. In the end the experience told for the Killoe side under the guidance of Luke Dempsey.

After a tight first half the sides were level at the interval. For all their possession and the chances they created, Clonguish will feel aggrieved not to have held the advantage by that stage.

A neat point from Clonguish wing-back Darren Quinn opened the scoring in the first minute. Matthew Carey kicked over his first free to give the Newtownforbes side a two-point lead after five minutes on the clock.

Killoe were level after 10 minutes with a Hughes free and a fine effort from Daniel Mimnagh. Clonguish keeper Joe O'Brien made a fine save to deny Hughes after his kick-out was intercepted by Mimnagh.

A great point from Cian Farrelly edged Killoe ahead for the first time in the 12th minute, but points from Christopher Gordan and Carey (free) put Clonguish back in front in the 24th minute. Despite creating the opportunities they couldn’t add to that and in the 30th minute another Hughes free leveled the game for the third time.

The second half was a much better fare. Two minutes in Killoe got a goal; Paddy Moran did the work and Hughes fisted the ball to the net. Clonguish replied with two to cut the gap to one in the 37th minute.

Killoe were ahead on two further occasions by three, but in the 56th minute an excellent Michael Flynn point and another Carey free put one between the sides. The sides were level for the fourth