Messages

Couldn't believe Eire Og togged out in the Abbeylara colours . David v Goliath battle the next day, but these lads won't be afraid of  the Crokes . Pressure all on Kilmacud

No Longford representative in the Leinster Junior as our Intermediate runners up are a "Group Team" therefore not eligible to compete .

Wasn't the greatest game ever but had enough to keep the attention.

Wind was horrible and made a heames of the game but Abbey will see this as an opportunity lost while the Columbas will thank the Lord for another chance.

Abbey will be missing one of the Smyths next week as he got a straight red (note to him - running up the far end of the field after your indiscretion does not absolve you). While the injured Robbie did make an appearance alot of his energy was wasted waving his arms and pleading to umpires and linesmen for fouls only he could see - he got a nice belt for his troubles from one of the Columbas lads (more accidental than deliberate).

Abbey picked up a fair few yellows, there were 2 blacks (one each) and the straight red at the very end.

Triple header next Sun with the U20 final, the intermediate and senior replays.

As a final note it's madness having the showpiece of the year in Oct - no reason why the county final cannot be in September.

2 Black cards for Abbey , Michaael Mc Hugh and P J Masterson . James Mc Givney for St Columba's although a clip of his incident posted on Facebook made it look very harsh .

Thought he was in the Bank, hasn't really done it with Killoe who by rights should have Larry Moran, Mark Hughes , Cian Farrelly in with the county along with the 2 Mc Cormack's , Quinn and Mimnagh . Might just be that in any other era than against the present St Columba's team they would be the ones who would be piling up the titles . Unlike St Columba's , Killoe Og have a constant flow of underage players coming along most years . Had 6 U-17's in action against Dublin in the recent Leinster Shield competition although strangely had only 1 with the U-20 team as a sub in the final game

Denis Connerton steps down as Longford manager

I presume ye'll be calling to a certain Garda in Boyle?

For the unimformed who might that be

At present, Cavan , Leitrim, Westmeath , Offaly, Longford are all looking for a new  senior management team , while I personally expect Roscommon and Kevin Mc Stay to part ways. With few capable candidates out there , there will be frantic maneuverings by county chairpersons to nab the "ideal man" . It''ll be the manager dictating the terms and conditions. Micky Graham will possibly be the bookies favourite  , while Frank Mc Namee will have his supporters . Don't rule out a move for Banty !!! although rumour has him linked to Cavan

Longford beat Dublin 1-13 to 0-11, to win the Leinster minor shield .

Great effort from Longford today. Took a while to get going as they let Westmeath go 5-0 up before they decided to start to play . The Bull was immense. Took some huge marks and prevented at least 2 of Heslin's free's dropping over the bar. Good to see James back even it was only for a brief time due to his black card. To be in with a chance of promotion in our own hands going into the last game is probably more than most expected . Disappointing crowd today as the snow in Westmeath this morning put a lot of people off travelling. They missed a cracking game . 

Longford's persistence with passing the ball backways and across the field should have cost them today. 5-1 up against the wind after 20 mins then allow Sligo 10 unanswered points to go 6 points down before they finally woke up again . Comical umpiring at the town end as a Longford effort which the goalie attempted to catch as it went over the bar was waved wide by the 2 clowns either side of the post . Thankfully the linesman put it right. After going a point up we reverted to try and play keep ball and gave it away allowing Sligo to deservedly equalize. A HUGE game awaits against Westmeath now . James Mc Givney is a huge loss . Would have got us a point or 2 today. Either the Sligo backs were brilliant not fouling or Longford's were woefull as we scored 2 from frees while Sligo got 8 . Cannot afford a repeat next Sunday with Heslin around .

Venue set months ago , agreement with TG4 to show game as part of a double header with the All Ireland Intermediate club semi final between An Gealteacht and Moy from Tyrone . The Cavanagh's v The O Se family . Real box office game with the history between the 2 counties . Redevelopment of Pairc Tailteann on the long finger as opinion split , without doubt the stand and lights need replacing . Haven't been on main terrace for years but it looks in good condition , development probably should be done with maybe a 20,000 capacity max with 6000/7000 seating . Would allow for a home and away agreement with the Dubs in championship

(In case anyone is wondering why the names in Mullinalaghta team photo in the programme seem somewhat amiss, the photo that was sent to us to put names to was not the same as the photo that went into the programme.)

Eamon Reilly also some man according to the programme. He is both chairperson and vice chairperson

Longford due 4 games at homes next year , will be travelling to Sligo, Armagh and Offaly.  At worst 3 of Westmeath, Derry, Fermanagh and Wexford will be at home. At best all 4 . As we travelled to all the counties who were either promoted or relegated, we should be at home to those counties who came down from 2 and up from 4 . Will be confirmed around September / October 

Great result for us. Revenge for the minor in 2014. The Dubs next who we also should have beaten in 2014. Could not handle O Callaghan then.

Longford have been doing this for the last 4 years , we also have a cross border competition with Leitrim clubs that has been successful going into its 4th year this May . Caters for all sizes of clubs . Groups of 4 teams with 2 from each county . Finals alternate between Pearse Park and Pairc Sean each year depending on pairings . Leitrim likely to move to the odd year grades this year . Longford sticking with the traditional grades for now

Field filling up now, 5 candidates 2 Leinster, 2 Connaught and 1 from Munster.