Longwood’s U14 season finished in perfect fashion last Sunday, as glorious sunshine and an immaculate pitch set the stage for a top-of-the-table with Round Towers. With 3 teams neck and neck at the top of the league table, this match had a winner takes all feel to it. So there was a real sense of expectation around the ground—and confidence that Longwood’s pace and fitness would thrive in the dry, fast conditions.
From the throw-in, Longwood delivered electric pace. A sharp break from midfield released Caeden Connor whose shot was saved by the opposing goalkeeper with Thomas Maguire’s follow-up effort rattling the post, setting the tone for what was to come. Moments later, following excellent work by Patrick Maguire, Lochlan Rowley opened the scoring with a well-taken point.
The Longwood pressure quickly turned into goals. A superb solo run from Thomas Maguire saw him drive the ball across the face of goal, where an unfortunate Round Towers defender diverted the ball into his own net. Soon after, a scramble in the square ended with Patrick Maguire reacting quickest to fire home a second goal. It was a dream start, and Longwood were firmly in control.
Round Towers responded with two quick points, but Longwood’s quality shone through again when Lochlan Rowley split the posts from distance with a massive score. At the other end, the Longwood defence stood resolute. Dylan Dixon produced an outstanding block to deny a certain goal, while William Birmingham dealt confidently with a series of dangerous deliveries. Although Round Towers added a few frees, they found it difficult to break through a tough tackling Longwood backline.
Longwood struck again with precision and pace. A rapid transition saw Tyler Mulligan take possession, beat his marker with speed, and fire low to the net for Longwood’s third goal, extending the lead to 3-2 to 0-4. In the demanding heat, Longwood’s work rate remained relentless, with Tadhg Schram and Luka Farrell consistently linking play and driving forward.
As the half-time whistle went, Longwood led 3-2 to 0-5—an impressive position, built on sharp attacking play and disciplined defending.
The second half began with another burst from Longwood. Lochlan Rowley surged forward from midfield to point, quickly followed by a fine score from Thomas Maguire. Bobby Barron then added an excellent point after great work from Thomas Murray, before Thomas Maguire struck for Longwood’s fourth goal, expertly taken to extend the lead to 4-5 to 0-5.
At this stage, Longwood were flying. The forwards were full of movement and confidence, with Patrick Maguire’s intelligent runs and Bobby Barron’s creative passing continually opening up the Round Towers defence. Tyler Mulligan remained a constant threat, while further back, the defence and half-back line of Lukas Hennessy, Luka Farrell and William Birmingham shut down attacks with aggressive and well-timed interventions. Luka Farrell was outstanding, repeatedly driving forward to support attacks.
In midfield, Longwood held a decisive edge. Lochlan Rowley delivered a commanding display, dominating the air and driving forward at every opportunity, while alongside him, Tadhg Schram was producing his best performance of the season—tackling, winning primary possession, and covering every blade of grass from defence to attack with incredible energy.
Round Towers continued to battle and added a number of late points, but with Aodhan Freeman calm and assured under high balls and Dylan Dixon mopping up balls in the full back line, clear goal chances never materialised. Longwood always looked capable of adding more, and they duly did. Another fine point from Lochlan Rowley arrived. This was followed by a brilliant delivery across goal from Patrick Maguire which was met by Tyler Mulligan, who palmed to the net to seal an unassailable lead.
The move of the match came with Longwood’s final score—a slick one-two in midfield between Luka Farrell and Lochlan Rowley before the ball was worked to Bobby Barron, who finished superbly from distance.
The match ended in dramatic and unusual fashion. As Round Towers pushed forward in search of a late goal, Aidan Sharkey produced a tough, last-ditch tackle deep in defence. (ok it was a little high!) In the process, the referee issued a black card, and Aidan was forced to spend the final minute of the game on the sidelines.
It was a tough end to an outstanding individual display, but entirely in keeping with the fierce competitiveness Aidan has shown in recent weeks. Following his Man of the Match performance in the harsh wet and rainy conditions of Dunshaughlin just a fortnight ago, Aidan has grown into a determined and uncompromising defender. As he made his way off the pitch, there was a sense among some that those who wore the Longwood jersey before him would have been looking down with pride—and perhaps a smile! That same pride was shared by all present as the final whistle sounded, with a Longwood victory on a scoreline of 5-7 to 0-10.
One of the defining characteristics of the victory was Longwood’s clinical edge in front of goal—having struggled to convert chances in Dunshaughlin just a few weeks ago. Equally impressive was their fitness and energy, with relentless running and support play from start to finish—a clear testament to the preparation and work of Jim, Dean and Jacob.
In the end, results elsewhere meant Longwood topped the table alongside Dunshaughlin but lost out on the head to head.
However this has been an exceptional league campaign with so much improvement over the past year and so much to look forward to as the Championship beckons.
Team
Goalkeeper – Aodhan Freeman
Backs – William Birmingham, Lucas Hennessy, Aidan Sharkey, Dylan Dixon, Luka Farrell
Midfield – Lochlan Rowley (0-4), Tadhg Schram
Forwards – Thomas Murray, Patrick Maguire (1-0), Thomas Maguire (1-1), Tyler Mulligan (2-0), Caeden Connor, Bobby Barron (0-2)
Joint Players of the Match:
Tadhg Schram and Lochlan Rowley
