Bardon takes command

Leinster SFC / Clonguish 2-5 Kilanerin 0-6 : Clonguish, champions of Longford for the first time in 22 years, turned in a super…

Leinster SFC / Clonguish 2-5 Kilanerin 0-6: Clonguish, champions of Longford for the first time in 22 years, turned in a super second-half performance at Pearse Park, Longford, yesterday afternoon to dump Wexford champions Kilanerin out of this year's Leinster football championship.

The Longford men advanced to a clash with Blackhall Gaels from Meath in the quarter-finals but at half time yesterday it looked as if it would be the Wexford champions who would win through to round Two. At the halfway stage the Slaneysiders held a four-point lead after John Hegarty (2) and Mattie Ford (4) pointed them into a 0-6 to 0-2 advantage.

However, two quick goals in the early stages of the second half soon turned the tie the way of the midlanders.

Both goals were scored by full forward Enda Bardon, one in the 34th minute and the other just four minutes later as the Clonguish took control of matters.

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It was a day of mixed fortunes for the Bardons. David was particularly outstanding while Paul scored three points for his side but then disaster struck as he had to be stretchered off before the finish after being badly injured in an off-the-ball incident. Kilanerin's Jim Darcy was red carded as a result but by then Clonguish were already well on their way to victory.

CLONGUISH: M McHugh; B Burke, P Cooney, S Hagan; P Reilly, D Bardon, T O'Malley; L McGuinness, J Dowd; C Clarke, P Bardon (0-3), D Quinn; J Smith, E Bardon (2-1), J O'Brien (0-1). Subs: I Reilly for Smith (half-time); Smith for P Bardon, (58 mins).

KILANERIN: Barry Hughes; Michael Hughes, Brian Hughes, M Higgins; Micheal Hughes, P Ford, G Hughes; J Darcy, S Hughes; P Kavanagh, J Hegarty (0-2), M Gethings; N Darcy, A Kavanagh, M Ford (0-4). Subs: D Byrne for Michael Hughes (21 mins); P Hughes for P Kavanagh (33); D Buggy for Hegarty (45).

Referee: P Finnegan (Louth).