St Ultans 1-14 Longwood 1-12 

St Ultans got 2 very valuable IFC points on Saturday evening in Páirc Tailteann when defeating Longwood by 2 points following an absorbing battle. 

It took a brace of points from veteran attacker Paul Murray inside the last 6 mins, the latter being a wonderful score from 50m struck with the outside of his foot that needed the help of the crossbar to go over.

St Ultans came into the game with few expectations with players away on holiday and more at weddings, the starting 15 had 10 changes from the team defeated by Trim in round 1.

St Ultans got off to the worst possible start when from the throw in, Longwood attacked and scored a goal.

 Ultans replied immediately and with 3 points from Mark Allen they were level after 5mins, Gearoid Rennicks hit a huge point from way out the field following great teamwork plus a point from Ronan Breslin left the winners ahead by 0-5 to 1-1 after 10mins. 

St Ultans didn't register a score for the next 12mins in which time Longwood rattled off 3 points, but points from play Conor Smyth and Shane Mulroe levelled the game before a late free from Longwood gave them the narrowest of leads at half time St Ultans 0-8 Longwood 1-6. 

It took St Ultans 10mins to get a score in the 2nd half by which time Longwood had got 4 points to increase their lead to 5   St Ultans 0-8 Longwood 1-10

The introduction of Darren Mallon and Christian Byrne after 40mins had the desired effect as a long ball played into Breslin who in turn beat his man and the Longwood keeper to score a goal which brought some hope and belief to the winners, however a point from Mickey Burke (6 in total)  pushed Longwood 3 ahead but they failed to score again in the match St Ultans 1-9 Longwood 1-12 after 45mins. 

3 more points from the impressive Breslin before the Paul Murray pair of points finished off the scoring to send the Black and Green home happy with the victory which lifts them off the foot of the table. 

Best for the winning team were Ronan Breslin, Mark Allen, Paul Murray, Declan Galligan and Sean O Hoireabhard. 

St Ultans Team: Cian Farnan, Darren Costello, Sean O Hoireabhard, Declan Ball, Eoghan Monaghan, Jason Bennett, Luke O Reilly Declan Galligan, Gearoid Rennicks (0-2, Conor Smyth (0-1), Kevin Rogers, Paul Murray (0-2), Shane Mulroe (0-1), Mark Allen (0-3), Ronan Breslin (1-5). Subs: Darren Mallon for Luke O Reilly (40mins), Christian Byrne for Conor Smyth (40mins), Shane Dolan for Shane Mulroe (58mins)

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