While they may not have secured the win that they craved, Longwood can take some satisfaction from the fact that they brought their recent losing run to an end with a dramatic draw against Carnaross on Tuesday evening.
A game that started in bright evening sunshine and ended in a biting cold breeze, saw both teams enjoy periods of dominance with Longwood likely to be the happier at the final whistle. Trailing by four points as the clocked ticked into injury time, it took a goal from an unlikely poacher in Joey Stenson, playing his first game of football of the year, who bravely lunged at a loose ball, drilling it to the back of the net before Ryan Moore kicked a fine equalising point from an acute angle with seconds remaining.
It had started so differently for the home team when Sean Coloe raised a green flag with just three minutes on the clock. Indeed Coloe could have had a second goal a few minutes later but for a fine save from the Carnaross keeper.
This spurred the men from north Meath into action and, aided by the freshening breeze, they proceeded to kick 1-3 without reply to take command of proceedings. But for some wayward shooting, their lead could have been bigger. Longwood were getting plenty of possession, but turnovers were proving costly. The teams exchanged points and Carnaross took a three-point lead to the half-time break.
Half-time: Longwood 1-1 Carnaross 1-4
While Carnaross were first to score in the second half courtesy of a point from play, Longwood seemed energised and soon countered with three quickfire points, a fine effort from Gavin Griffith backed up with a brace of Sean Coloe points.
Carnaross registered another point from a free before Longwood launched another three point barrage, Coloe adding two more to his personal tally after Conor Dixon had burst forward to kick a delightful point with his right foot.
Longwood now led by a point and looked set to push for home. But the picture was to change dramatically when Carnaross equalised before capitalising on another turnover, moving the ball quickly up the field before it was eventually finished to the net. Within a minute the lead had extended to four points and the game appeared to be up for the home team.
But huge credit to Longwood as they refused to drop their heads and kept knocking at the door. Eventually it opened. The late scores from Joey Stenson and Ryan Moore brought the teams level and the final whistle quickly followed.
While Longwood cannot be overly happy with a draw, they will also recognise that there are many positives to be taken from their performance. Plenty to work on in the weeks ahead – let’s hope this is a turning point.
Full-time: Longwood 2-9 Carnaross 2-9
Full-time: Longwood 2-9 Carnaross 2-9
Longwood: Anthony Healy, Adrian Maguire, Tomás O’Brien, Adam Leacy, Ross Kerrigan, Mickey Burke, Conor Dixon (0-1), Niall Mulvey, Damien Healy, Gavin Griffith (0-1), Sean Sheridan, Ciaran Sheridan, Joey Stenson (1-0), Ryan Moore (0-3), Sean Coloe (1-4). Subs: Louis Butler, David Coloe, Sam Dixon, Jason Kerrigan.
It's back to the small ball next week for Longwood as the boys travel to Ashbourne for the 5th round of the senior hurling league.
Maigh Dearmhaí abú!! 🤍🖤🏁🏁
