2019 will forever be remembered in the annals of Longwood GAA’s long and proud history.

Admittedly it may not have had the same resonance in terms of winning a county championship as happened in the previous year, but it did see our players pit their talents against the best around the county as we participated in both the Senior Football and Hurling Championships for the first time in many generations.

But before the championship, comes the league. Longwood were operating in Division 3 and after a gruelling 2018, they had to face into 2019 with an opening round fixture on Sunday 27th January. The loss to Dunsany was compounded by injuries to Sean Sheridan and Evan Coyle. This was to prove a portent of things to come.

Longwood’s relatively small squad had led a charmed existence in relation to injuries en route to championship glory in 2018. The sporting gods decided to balance the books in 2019 with many key players suffering injuries, some niggling some more serious, during the season. To their credit, the players and managers refused to use this as an excuse and worked hard to deliver the best possible performance in each and every game. It would be round 4 of the league before Longwood registered their first points with a narrow victory over St Ultan’s.

Elsewhere a number of our juvenile teams, notably our U14 footballers, our U12 hurlers and our LGFA teams were showing promising signs with early victories in their respective competitions. Our footballers lost out narrowly in the semi-final of the Féile qualifiers to a strong Moynalty team who they would become increasingly familiar with as the season progressed.

There was great excitement as the draws for the Meath Football and Hurling Club Championships were made at the beginning of March. The footballers could hardly have faced a more daunting schedule of fixtures; drawn in a group containing such powerhouses as Ashbourne, Ratoath and Summerhill. The hurlers already new their fate having been promoted to Group A as a consequence of their excellent form during the previous campaign.

April 7th saw Longwood play their first Senior Football Championship match since the 1940’s. Despite scoring a respectable 11 points, they were comprehensively outplayed by a slick and powerful Ratoath side. As the rest of the county were to discover later in the year, Ratoath were simply far too strong for all opponents in championship 2019. There was no shame, only disappointment, in losing to the eventual champions.

Two weeks later Longwood returned to Trim, this time to tackle Rathkenny. Sadly the boys would lose out in agonising fashion. A brace of Thomas Coloe goals seemed to set the team up for an historic victory but Rathkenny’s greater experience saw them score the final 1-2 of the game to squeeze home by a couple of points. It was a tough defeat to stomach for the team, particularly as they had looked the better team for the majority of the contest.

Meanwhile Longwood LGFA’s U12 team had progressed serenely through their league fixtures, securing a place in the final. On the big day the girls produced a dominant display against St Colmcilles in Dunganny, registering a 4-11 to 2-6 victory. To collect silverware so early in their existence is a tremendous achievement for the girls and their coaches. There is no doubt they will repeat this success over the coming years.

As we moved into June, the fixtures continued to come thick and fast. Our U14 Footballers had advanced to the League semi-final; once again Moynalty were to provide the opposition. The boys travelled to the picturesque north Meath village and played some fantastic football before losing out by the narrowest of margins. A controversial late free enabled Moynalty to seal victory – they would take full advantage by winning the league final a week later. The consolation for Longwood was that all but one of the team would be eligible for the U13 League later in the season………..spoiler alert 😊

Longwood/Killyon performed heroically to win the U14 Hurling Shield. Successive victories over Rathmolyon and Donaghmore/Ashbourne in which the team racked up scores of 5-13 and 3-16 secured the shield and thrilled all supporters lucky enough to witness these performances.

The month of June came to an end with a titanic clash between parochial rivals, Longwood and Killyon, in the opening round of the Senior Hurling Championship. The venue was Rathmolyon, a pristine hurling field, and the clash did not disappoint. Killyon led for much of the contest but Longwood hung in and eventually got on top in the final quarter to register a 1-20 to 3-13 victory.

Bragging rights secured, Longwood returned to Rathmolyon little over a week later and battled resolutely before losing out to reigning champions Kiltale by just three points.

The 3rd round saw Longwood engaged in yet another tight game. This time Kildalkey provided the opposition. The game ebbed and flowed with both sets of supporters enthralled from the outset. Deep into injury time Longwood, who trailed by three points, won a free 25 metres out from goal. With so little time on the clock, a point was not an option. Up stepped Damien Healy to drill the ball to the back of the net. With three rounds of the hurling championship now completed, Longwood were in a good position with their destiny firmly in their own hands.

The scene was now set for a series of senior championship games over the following 6 weeks. Next up was Moynalvey in the SFC. Just as they had done against Rathkenny, Longwood started reasonably well. Indeed, when Ryan Moore raised a green flag early in the second half to bring the teams level, the game was very much up for grabs. However, Moynalvey were much the stronger for the remainder of the game and ultimately ran out convincing winners.

Just five days later, Longwood squared up to Ratoath in Round 4 of the SHC. The boys secured a modicum of revenge for what had happened against the same rival in the football championship back in April - a late Ryan Moore goal securing the points for the men from south Meath.

The following weekend saw the championship roller-coaster continue apace. This time the big ball took precedence in the form of a clash with Donaghmore/Ashbourne in Walterstown. Despite playing some excellent football in patches and registering a very respectable 2-11 over the hour, Longwood could not match the scoring power of their opponent who won comfortably in the end.

Longwood’s senior hurlers returned to action the following Saturday, this time recording a four point victory over Dunboyne.

Seven days later Longwood made the short journey to Clonard to tackle perennial championship contenders Summerhill in the final group game of the SFC. It proved to be a chastening experience for our lads. To be fair we were missing a clutch of experienced players due to injury – no surprise given the increasingly hectic schedule the boys were being asked to endure.

Another week had passed before the boys had to don their Longwood jerseys once again. With the SHC group stages now in the rear view mirror, the boys were through to face neighbours Na Fianna in the quarter final. Longwood dominated from the start and ultimately ran out seven point winners. Anthony Healy’s haul of eleven points adding to his prodigious scoring rate during the hurling championship.

The fixtures organisers decreed that Longwood would have to face Kildalkey in the SHC semi-final just six days later. Inevitably the exertions of such an incredibly busy period would take their toll at some stage. Unfortunately for Longwood this would materialise against Kildalkey. In truth, the men in blue were superior throughout the contest. Longwood struggled to get to the pace of the game; a combination of fatigue from those who had endured such a busy schedule and lack of match fitness from those returning from injury, saw Kildalkey run out comfortable winners. That they would proceed to dethrone Kiltale in the county final was scant consolation to our boys who had performed so well for most of the competition.

With the hurlers now finished, attention turned to the footballers who were drawn to face Senchalstown in the SFC relegation play-off. The game took place in Clonard and Longwood played their best football of the entire campaign. Holding Senchalstown scoreless for long periods in both halves, Longwood controlled the majority of the game and, holding a three point lead with just five minutes remaining, the dream of another season in the senior grade looked well within reach. Alas, it was not to be. A late run of scores, including a fortuitous goal saw Senchalstown scrape home. The disappointment amongst players, coaches and supporters was palpable. The boys had given everything and to come so close to realising their ambitions was incredibly tough to take.

Both out senior hurlers and footballers gave us tremendous value and entertainment in 2019.

The footballers battled tenaciously in a group that included Summerhill and Ratoath, both of whom would qualify for the SFC final. This fantastic group brought senior championship football to our club, a notion that would have seemed fanciful just a couple of years previous when we were battling to avoid relegation to Junior A football. We will cherish the memories of 2018 and 2019 for many years to come. And knowing these boys, they will be back again in 2020 to represent club and community and will provide a formidable challenge to all opponents.

The hurlers played consistently well throughout the season. Fantastic wins over Killyon, Ratoath and Dunboyne showed their potential and ability. To lose to Kildalkey was undoubtedly disappointing but a semi-final appearance was a step further than the previous year and therefore shows a degree of progress. With a little luck the boys can progress again in 2020, they would certainly appear to have as good a chance as anybody of bringing home the Jubilee Cup.

Defeat, at the quarter final stage, for our Junior D footballers brought an end to competitive games for our adult teams. Meanwhile our juvenile teams were finishing the season with gusto, determined to bring some silverware back to the club. Longwood/Killyon’s minor hurlers rallied from the disappointment of losing out in the championship to secure the Shield with victory over Kilmessan. The same team had won the Minor Hurling Summer League earlier in the year.

But it was to be our U13 Hurlers and Footballers who would deliver the coup de grace as we moved into winter. The U13 hurlers played incredibly well throughout the League; victories over Drumree, Killyon, Kiltale, Wolfe Tones, St Colmcille’s and Boardsmill saw them progress to the final where they would face a strong Donaghmore/Ashbourne team. But Longwood were not going to be denied. They performed incredibly well in the final, leading from the outset and despite a few nervy moments late on, they fully deserved the League title.

The U13 footballers were keen not to be outshone. They too progressed through the League with convincing victories over Blackhall Gaels, Ballinlough, Rathkenny and Syddan. A couple of defeats to Na Fianna and Moynalvey, while disappointing at the time, were to prove to be invaluable lessons for the players. A strong performance against Castletown saw Longwood qualify for the final where they would face up to Na Fianna once again. On this occasion, the boys from Longwood were determined to come out on the right side of the result. A truly heroic second half performance by the entire team saw them home by five points.

A fantastic achievement by our U13’s. To win the double was more than we could have hoped for. That so many players were involved with both teams only adds to the achievement. These players have a bright future and we look forward to seeing them progress in the years ahead.

Worth mentioning that our U15 Footballers and our U21 Footballers performed very well in their respective competitions, both narrowly losing out on a chance at silverware. The performances of both teams give further cause for optimism.

Longwood were very well represented on the intercounty scene throughout the season. Meath stalwart Mickey Burke and Eoin Lynch were key members of the county football panel throughout league and championship. Damien Healy was the lynch-pin of the Meath Hurling team that won the Christy Ring Cup for the second time in recent years. Damien performed incredibly well in the final and it was great to see such a strong Longwood crowd in attendance to cheer him on in Croke Park.

More recently Anthony Healy and Ross Kerrigan have joined the county hurling panel with Harry Hogan receiving a call up to the county football panel. Further evidence to the talent in Longwood and testament to the hard work going on behind the scenes.

Over the Christmas season the players came together to present the Player of the Year awards to Harry Hogan (U21 Player), Niall Mulvey (Senior Football) and Ross Kerrigan (Senior Hurler). The night also marked the 10th anniversary of the fantastic 2009 season when Longwood won the Meath Intermediate Hurling Championship, the Meath Junior Football Championship and the Leinster Junior Football Championship. It was great to see so many familiar faces and reminisce on the magical journey which they had embarked on a decade earlier.

A special word of thanks to our fundraising committee who, under the stewardship of Joyce Dixon, organised a number of successful fundraisers throughout the year. From movie nights, to fun runs to Celebrity Bainisteoir, the committee worked incredibly hard to ensure that the funds required to run such a busy club were raised while also ensuring our players and members had fun along the way. A word of thanks too must go to Barry Clarke and his team for organising yet another successful Longwood 5km/10km road race in October. This event continues to go from strength to strength with each passing year. As well as being a successful athletics event, it also generates vital income for the club.

As we bid farewell to 2019, we do so with a sense of pride. As mentioned previously, it was an historic year for our club. It could not have happened without the collective effort of our executive, our coaches, our fundraisers, our members, our supporters but most importantly our players. To one and all we say a massive THANK YOU.

2020 promises to be another exciting year for the club. For the second time in three years Féile will come to Longwood. This time our U14 Hurlers will have the amazing opportunity to participate in this fantastic festival of sport. We have much to look forward to.

Longwood GAA and LGFA would like to wish all players, coaches, members and supporters a happy and peaceful New Year. We wish everybody good health and happiness for the year ahead.