Longwood’s hurlers may have come out on the wrong side the final scoreline but there were plenty of reasons to hope for brighter days ahead, such was the level of performance.
Longwood fielded one of their youngest teams in many years, the starting fifteen contained no fewer than six minors, and each one of them performed with great credit. While three of the six had played in the opening round of the league, Ronan Greene, James Cully and Henrikas Peciulis made their senior debuts and handled the occasion with aplomb.
A pretty ferocious wind made it difficult for both teams to play attractive hurling and it was always going to be a case of who could make the most of the wind advantage. Longwood started brightly and found themselves 1-1 to 0-0 ahead after just seven minutes, the goal coming from the stick of Ronan Greene who is working his way back to full fitness after a prolonged injury.
With Gavin Griffith’s direct running causing problems for the home defence, Longwood were performing well on the field, though they would have liked to have kept the scoreboard ticking at a higher rate. That said, taking a 1-5 to 0-5 lead to the interval was not to be scoffed at.
An early second half goal from William Phillips gave the travelling supporters hope but with the wind strengthening, the home team took advantage and reeled off a succession of points to take the lead.
Longwood pushed for a goal and it almost came but for an excellent save by the Kilmessan keeper.
Two injury-time points proved to be the insurance scores for the home team and the final whistle soon followed.
Full-time: Kilmessan 0-15 Longwood 2-5
Longwood: Mark Kennedy (Capt.), Sean Kelly, Anthony Healy, David Coloe, Sam King, Kevin Heagney, Conor M Dixon (0-2), Gavin Griffith (0-2), Henrikas Peciulis, Ben McLoughlin (0-1), Thomas Dorran, James Cully, Ronan Greene (1-0), William Phillips (1-0), Rian Duffy. Subs: Tomás O’Brien for James Cully, Ryan Moore for Ronan Greene, Sean Carpenter.
