Three-goal Cocks create history in Longford
Aaron Dowling celebrates his goal for Fighting Cocks against St Brigids Killashee in the AIB Leinstr Club JFC Semi-Final.
The Fighting Cocks created history in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Longford, when they saw off the challenge of St Brigids Killashee to qualify for their first ever provincial decider.
In a tight first half, an Aaron Dowling 6th-minute goal helped the eventual winners take a 1-3 to 0-5 lead into the second half. Both sides showed plenty of enterprise throughout and the game remained tight in the third quarter.
Dowling’s second goal immediately after the break was quickly cancelled out by a three-pointer from Paddy Mollahan the St Brigids left-half forward.
Extra time was certainly not being ruled out as the game entered its final stages but the Cocks, having taken a two point lead thanks to an Alan Quigley free from outside the Dee, went for the jugular.
Dowling turned provider this time and his pass put Cillian Fagan through for a goal. The former then landed a two-pointer from play and the Cocks were in dreamland.
The Longford side finished well and Dylan Farrell underlined the danger he posed with a good goal. He also added a point but time ran out for them as The Fighting Cocks celebrated a great victory.
In the final, the Carlow champions will play Kildare side, Grangenolvin on Sunday December 14th . With Netwatch Cullen Park undergoing refurbishments, a possible venue for the final could be the main pitch at the SETU Carlow campus.
A Dowling 2-5 (1-2p), C Fagan 1-2, A Quigley 0-2 (2pf), B Nolan, L Sheppard 0-1 each.
D Farrell 1-6 (3fs), P Mollahan 1-1, J Magan, M Farrell (f) 0-1.
Darragh Byrne; Conor Ruane, James Hickey, Dylan Ruane; Billy Molloy, William Kelly, Billy Nolan; Cormac McElligott, Liam Sheppard; Trevor Watchorn, Jack McDonald, Emmet Moran; Cillian Fagan, Alan Quigley, Aaron Dowling.
Glenn O’Rourke for Watchorn (40), Matthew English-Hayden for Molloy (42), Mattie Dowling for Quigley (52), Cian O’Byrne for Fagan (60), Moling English-Hayden for McDonald (60).
Barry Geraghty; Shane Ocoscraigh, David Buckley, Keelan Cox; James Willis, Paddy Clancy, John Lee; Dylan Farrell, Jack Magan; Colin Cousins, Michael Farrell, Paddy Mollahan; Tommy Killian, John Casey, Niall McCormack.
Darren Cosgrove for Killian (49), Ronan Kavanagh for Cousins (57).
Enda Kenny (Westmeath)
