County star Paul Barden was the stand-out performer as Clonguish overcame Horeswood by 2-10 to 0-5 in their AIB Leinster club SFC tie. Team-captain Barden was in inspirational form, hitting 1-4, and using all his experience and nous to bring out the best in his team-mates. Clonguish led from pillar to post and never looked anything but winners-elect over the hour-plus. Two points from Barden helped leave the Longford champions 0-4 to 0-0 ahead before Horeswood grabbed their only point of the first half in the 11th minute when David Shannon converted a free. Clonguish continued to have things very much their own way and two frees from Collie Clarke, a point from Ciaran Williams and a '45 from Paddy Dowd had the hosts on the edge of easy street. Horeswood trailed by 0-1 to 0-8 on the restart and, in fairness, did improve in the second half. A fine Niall Collins point seven minutes into the second half gave the visitors a glimmer of hope but a point from Barden one minute later made for a seven point game once again. Horeswood were clutching at straws though and the game was well and truly up for them midway through the second half when Clonguish netted on the double. Barden struck gold in the 40th minute with a fantastic strike from 30 metres and then five minutes later, team-mate Ciaran Williams also hit the jackpot. To their credit, Horeswood fought to the bitter end and at least had the consolation of hitting the final three points of the game with scores from Darren Shannon, Ciaran Deely and PJ Banville. Tweet

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