U14 Football League: Longwood 2-9 Rathkenny 1-12
On a glorious but hot Sunday afternoon, Longwood U14s welcomed Rathkenny to Longwood, with the pitch and surriunds in great shape.
Longwood made a bright start to the game. A strong run from Lochlan Rowley, combined with a neat one-two with Dylan Dixon, saw Lochlan round the goalkeeper and open the scoring with an excellent goal. This was quickly followed by a well-worked move started by William Birmingham and finished by Conor Baldwin for a point.
It was a strong opening from Longwood, with the midfield pairing of Lochlan Rowley and Tadhg Shram, along with a dominant half-back line of Luka Farrell, Lukas Hennessy and Erikas Petkus, controlling possession. Rathkenny got their first score with a two-pointer from distance, but Longwood responded through a point from Thomas Maguire. Shortly after, Erikas Petkus sprinted forward from defence to take an excellent point from a short free.
Rathkenny continued to threaten from long range and added another two-pointer. Lukas Hennessy then made two outstanding blocks to deny clear scoring chances. Both sides created excellent opportunities but were guilty of missing clear goal chances and easy point opportunities during this period.
Dylan Dixon then found his range with two excellent points in succession following good work from Erikas Petkus and Thomas Murray. Rathkenny added two further scores from distance before the break, leaving the half-time score at Longwood 1-5 Rathkenny 0-6.
Longwood began the second half well. Patrick Maguire, following a mazy run, buried the ball into the net for Longwood’s second goal. Thomas Murray followed up with a point as Longwood’s attacking play became increasingly dangerous.
At the back, the full-back line of Aidan Sharkey and William Birmingham stood firm, constantly winning possession. Despite the hot and sticky conditions, midfielders Lochlan Rowley and Tadhg Shram continued to work tirelessly, linking defence and attack.
Thomas Murray added a point from a free after the ball was moved forward for dissent, while Conor Baldwin and Thomas Maguire also got on the scoresheet to push Longwood into a strong lead of 2-9 to 0-10 at the half way point of the second half.
However, the final quarter belonged to Rathkenny, who launched a sustained comeback. Goalkeeper Aodhan Freeman produced two outstanding saves—firstly reacting brilliantly to push a powerful shot onto the post, and then denying a one-on-one chance with an excellent block.
Rathkenny eventually found the net and added a series of points to close the gap to just two points. Longwood had chances to seal the game, with a long effort from Thomas Maguire striking the post before Caeden Connor’s rebound effort rattled the crossbar. A further attempt from Cuan Saunders was also blocked down as Longwood pushed for a winning score.
Rathkenny’s ability to convert long-range two-pointers proved decisive as they levelled the match late on. In the closing moments, Rathkenny pressed for a winner, but the determined tackling and defensive work from the Longwood backs ensured the sides remained level.
The referee’s final whistle confirmed a draw on a scoreline of Longwood 2-9 Rathkenny 1-12.
Overall, this was an excellent, hard-fought contest played with great determination and energy in hot conditions. Both sides contributed to a high-quality game and either could easily have taken the win.
Longwood’s unbeaten run in the league continues, with five points secured from three matches. This talented group of players has plenty to look forward to in the games ahead.
Goalkeeper – Aodhan Freeman
Backs – William Birmingham, Lucas Hennessy, Aidan Sharkey, Luka Farrell, Erikas Petkus (0-1)
Midfield – Lochlan Rowley (1-0), Tadhg Schram
Forwards – Conor Baldwin (0-2), Thomas Murray (0-2), Patrick Maguire (1-0), Thomas Maguire (0-2), Caeden Connor, Cuan Saunders, Dylan Dixon (0-2).
Man of the Match. Aodhan Freeman
On a glorious but hot Sunday afternoon, Longwood U14s welcomed Rathkenny to Longwood, with the pitch and surriunds in great shape.
Longwood made a bright start to the game. A strong run from Lochlan Rowley, combined with a neat one-two with Dylan Dixon, saw Lochlan round the goalkeeper and open the scoring with an excellent goal. This was quickly followed by a well-worked move started by William Birmingham and finished by Conor Baldwin for a point.
It was a strong opening from Longwood, with the midfield pairing of Lochlan Rowley and Tadhg Shram, along with a dominant half-back line of Luka Farrell, Lukas Hennessy and Erikas Petkus, controlling possession. Rathkenny got their first score with a two-pointer from distance, but Longwood responded through a point from Thomas Maguire. Shortly after, Erikas Petkus sprinted forward from defence to take an excellent point from a short free.
Rathkenny continued to threaten from long range and added another two-pointer. Lukas Hennessy then made two outstanding blocks to deny clear scoring chances. Both sides created excellent opportunities but were guilty of missing clear goal chances and easy point opportunities during this period.
Dylan Dixon then found his range with two excellent points in succession following good work from Erikas Petkus and Thomas Murray. Rathkenny added two further scores from distance before the break, leaving the half-time score at Longwood 1-5 Rathkenny 0-6.
Longwood began the second half well. Patrick Maguire, following a mazy run, buried the ball into the net for Longwood’s second goal. Thomas Murray followed up with a point as Longwood’s attacking play became increasingly dangerous.
At the back, the full-back line of Aidan Sharkey and William Birmingham stood firm, constantly winning possession. Despite the hot and sticky conditions, midfielders Lochlan Rowley and Tadhg Shram continued to work tirelessly, linking defence and attack.
Thomas Murray added a point from a free after the ball was moved forward for dissent, while Conor Baldwin and Thomas Maguire also got on the scoresheet to push Longwood into a strong lead of 2-9 to 0-10 at the half way point of the second half.
However, the final quarter belonged to Rathkenny, who launched a sustained comeback. Goalkeeper Aodhan Freeman produced two outstanding saves—firstly reacting brilliantly to push a powerful shot onto the post, and then denying a one-on-one chance with an excellent block.
Rathkenny eventually found the net and added a series of points to close the gap to just two points. Longwood had chances to seal the game, with a long effort from Thomas Maguire striking the post before Caeden Connor’s rebound effort rattled the crossbar. A further attempt from Cuan Saunders was also blocked down as Longwood pushed for a winning score.
Rathkenny’s ability to convert long-range two-pointers proved decisive as they levelled the match late on. In the closing moments, Rathkenny pressed for a winner, but the determined tackling and defensive work from the Longwood backs ensured the sides remained level.
The referee’s final whistle confirmed a draw on a scoreline of Longwood 2-9 Rathkenny 1-12.
Overall, this was an excellent, hard-fought contest played with great determination and energy in hot conditions. Both sides contributed to a high-quality game and either could easily have taken the win.
Longwood’s unbeaten run in the league continues, with five points secured from three matches. This talented group of players has plenty to look forward to in the games ahead.
Goalkeeper – Aodhan Freeman
Backs – William Birmingham, Lucas Hennessy, Aidan Sharkey, Luka Farrell, Erikas Petkus (0-1)
Midfield – Lochlan Rowley (1-0), Tadhg Schram
Forwards – Conor Baldwin (0-2), Thomas Murray (0-2), Patrick Maguire (1-0), Thomas Maguire (0-2), Caeden Connor, Cuan Saunders, Dylan Dixon (0-2).
Man of the Match. Aodhan Freeman
