Reserve League V St Mary’s

Flipeadóirí Longfort headed for Higginstown last Saturday to face St Mary’s in round 3 of the league.  Slashers were short a few regulars on the day and this, added to the wet and windy conditions, meant that it was always going to be an uphill battle. “In aghaidh na gaoithe” was certainly the case for Slashers in the first half and St Marys took every advantage of the wind racing into a lead with 2 goals on the board at a time when the sky blue could hardly register a score. Tadhg Maher and Andrew Lyons were working hard in mid-field against the elements and Daniel Kirby and Ross Flaherty were chipping in the odd score.  Our breakthrough came just before half time when Ruairí Clarke pounced for a classy goal – scór den céad scoth- which left 3pts between the sides at half time. The dander was up at the break and the team knew that St Mary’s had the upper hand but that the goal had leveled things out. Slashers went back in and Andrew Kelly picked off the first score with an efficient strike. This was followed by two Ross Flaherty beauties and two Niall Kelly frees. At this point Slashers dominated and the backs were playing well denying many scoring chances with Adrian Duffy and Shane Rodgers working like beavers. St Mary’s were held to a point in the 2^nd half in a complete turnaround of fortunes. Daniel Kirby took the final score to close out the game and win by 2pts. This was a gutsy performance by a team that decided not to give in despite being 8pts down at one stage in the game. This team is getting lots of football and is enjoying it which is key to its success.  The experience of Shane Dann, Ronan Duffy, Darren Flaherty and Mark Mulligan matched by the creativity of Seán Clarke, Kevin Finnan and Andrew Kelly dug out a victory on a day when spirit won out. FLIPEADÓIRÍ LONGFOIRT : Ronan Duffy,  Shane Dann, Adrian Duffy, Darren Flaherty,  Seán Clarke, Shane Rogers, , Kevin Finnan, Tadhg Maher, Andrew Lyons, Rúairí Clarke (1-1) , Niall Kelly (2pts F), Daniel Kirby (2) , Mark Mulligan, Andrew Kelly (1), Ross Flaherty (3) Final Score FLIPEADÓIRÍ LONGFOIRT 1-9  – St Mary’s 2-4