A draw.  Not as good as a win, but a hell of a lot better than a loss!

If Longwood’s hurlers felt that last week’s loss to Killyon was one that got away, then they will surely felt that they dodged a bullet yesterday when they somehow managed to snatch a draw against a youthful and energetic Na Fianna team.

The men from Baconstown and Enfield felt aggrieved at the death, making their displeasure clear to referee Martin Dawson but on reflection they will rue their many wides and the squandering of a seven point second half lead.

Longwood may have entered the game as favourites but they started sluggishly, poor handling and misplaced passes were all too common in the opening half and Na Fianna were quick to grab the initiative with their speedy, mobile forwards causing plenty of problems.  Patrick Jordan was particularly prominent, and he raised the first green flag after just seven minutes.  

Credit to Longwood, they responded immediately with Ryan Moore drilling a loose ball to the back of the net to bring the sides level at 1-1 apiece.

Despite playing against the stiff breeze, the black and amber would dominate the remainder of the half.  An injury to Gavin Griffith compounded Longwood’s problems, the half forward forced to leave the field with a foot injury midway through the half.  Four Anthony Healy frees plus a brace of points from Sean Coloe were all Longwood had to show for their first half endeavours.  

They trailed 1-9 to 1-6 at the interval and, in truth, it could have been worse.

The opening 20 minutes of the second half followed a similar trend with Longwood struggling to gain a foothold in the game.   Na Fianna kept the scoreboard ticking and run of points left them in a seemingly commanding position with points from Sean Coloe and Billy Hogan keeping the Wood in touch, if only just.  

A pointed free from Rory Fagan extended the advantage to seven points with twenty minutes remaining and Longwood’s goose appeared to be cooked.

Leadership was required and Damien Healy was quick to put his hand up.  Quite literally in fact as he fielded a number of puck outs and carried the fight to the opposition in an impressive act of defiance.   A run of four successive points; one each from the Healy brothers book-ended by two more from the unerring Sean Coloe gave the Longwood team and supporters hope.  

Na Fianna kicked on again with two quick-fire points, but a pair of Anthony Healy frees reduced the deficit to three points with time running out.  

As the clock ticked towards the sixty minute mark, Billy Hogan received a pass on the 20 metre line and fired a rasping shot towards the goal.  Goalkeeper Adam Farrell pulled off a fantastic save but the ensuing scramble saw Longwood win a free just inside the D.  Anthony Healy placed the ball and took a deep breath before planting it in the Na Fianna net.  

The sides were level with only injury time to play.  Na Fianna pressed forward and the impressive Jordan struck what looked like it may be the decisive score.  But that was not to be the case.  A final Longwood attack saw the ball reach Sean Coloe and, despite being under severe pressure, the captain seemed to turn and strike the ball in one movement with the ball piercing the breeze and dropping over the bar.  

The final whistle soon followed, and the emotions of both teams were at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Na Fianna understandably frustrated after dominating much of the game; Longwood just relieved to have taken something from the game.  

Despite not performing at their best, the boys deserve enormous credit for the resilience and never-say-die spirit they displayed, particularly in the final quarter. This was typified by Damien Healy and Joey Stenson but, as always, it was a collective effort. It would have been easy to drop their heads and accept that it wasn’t going to be their day, but they dug in, kept plugging away and eventually forced the tide to turn.

Special mention must go to captain Sean Coloe who had been laid low by illness over the weekend but led from the front and, despite lacking his usual energy levels on the field, scored six points from open play including the most important one of all.  The warrior mentality is alive and well.

Longwood: Mark Kennedy, Adam Leacy, Mickey Burke, Ross Kerrigan, Conor Dixon, Joey Stenson, Brian Stagg, Sean Coloe (Capt.) (0-6), Billy Hogan (0-1), Kevin Heagney, Damien Healy (0-1), Gavin Griffith, Karl Ennis (0-1), Anthony Healy (1-7), Ryan Moore (1-0).  Subs: David Coloe for Gavin Griffith, Bob Maguire for Adam Leacy, Malachy Fisher for Kevin Heagney, Enda Dixon, Kieran Murtagh, Kevin Maguire, Fionn Hannon, Thomas Dorran, Ben McLoughlin, Adam Peacock.

No rest for the boys as they face up to Duleek Bellewstown in the opening round of the Intermediate Football Championship next Saturday afternoon.

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