On Saturday the 20th of June in very warm conditions, the Slashers hurlers battled through five games undefeated to claim the Division 4 Feile title for 2026. In the shadow of Dr.Cullen Park on the two fields used by O’Hanrahan’s GAA club is where the national competition was held and it was a victory cheered on by a very strong travelling support made up of proud parents and club members. Although Slashers had some undoubted stars, as the following match reports will illustrate, this was a triumph for the entire panel to share in as all members of the panel were utilised in a wonderful day’s hurling.
Longford Slashers 5-09 Ederney (Fermanagh) 0-2
Despite the Fermanagh team warming up in a circle right beside Longford Slashers base on pitch no.2, it was the sky-blue team that fired themselves into an early and lasting ascendancy. Goals from twin co-captains Sean Galvin (netted in the first half) and Ethan Galvin (scored a goal in the second half) – helped Slashers to a dream start. Goals win games and Slasher’s ability to score majors was a big factor in their eventual win, however it was defensively that Slashers were most impressive in their first game – curtailing their rivals to two late consolation points when the game was over as a contest. Credit for this shut down must go to the miserly full back line lead by the fair haired Luke Kenny and ably assisted by cornerbacks Rian Foley and Stephen Cox. These tidy corner backs were replaced seamlessly by Jack O’Rourke and Leo Kelly.
Longford Slashers 3-08 Knockbridge (Louth) 0-3
On the same pitch no. 2 Slashers continued in similar vein against their ‘wee county opponents’. Star scorer Conor Spollen, who finished the previous game with 1-3 to his name was on the score sheet early and often in this second game. Conor got an array of different types of scores, striking on both sides over the bar and cleverly batting the ball into the net to avoid being hooked. He was by a distance the most impressive corner forward in the competition. He finished this game with an impressive 2-3. A corner forward is only as good as the ball coming in from out the field and in this regard there seemed to be a conveyor belt of quality ball coming from a dynamic midfield of Lorcan Mc Dermott and Ryan McGoey. Lorcan’s high fielding and Ryan’s ability to run at the defences were a joy to behold for Slasher’s supporters. Slashers had 2 new recruits from the U15 Slashers football team for this tournament and their athleticism and ball-winning ability were very much to the fore in this game. Setanta Smith and Charlie Maguire were to maintain that high level of contribution throughout the tournament.
Longford Slashers 1-05 Naomh Brid Carlow 0-08
This was the defining game of the competition for Slashers when the two top teams battled it out for group supremacy. Naomh Brid, a team who play their league games in the hurling stronghold of Kilkenny were a physically imposing team with accomplished hurlers all over the field. Perhaps predictably, the home side asserted themselves early taking advantage of Slashers hesitancy. There seemed to be an early acceptance among the Slashers boys that the Carlow team were better and should win. Cian Kenny, playing on the 40, was not accepting this narrative. Already bruised from previous physical encounters with bigger adversaries – the young Kenagh bristled with intent and hauled his teammates back into the contest with a magnificent individual goal, the game’s solitary major. Spurred on by this, Slashers hurled well and threw over hard-earned points through Conor Spollen and Setanta Smith. Despite being outplayed for much of the half, Slashers went in at half time well in the game. The talk at the break was all about the realisation that Slashers were every bit as good as their opponents and this new-found belief was very evident in a second half performance that was full of grit and teamwork. Slashers had the lion’s share of possession in the second half but the game finished in a draw. Hands were shaken afterwards and the Carlow management predicted we would meet again later in the day.
Longford Slashers 3-7 Tourlestrane (Sligo) 1-3
Coming second in the group on score difference meant we had to meet the Group 2 winners, Tourlestrane of Sligo, in the semi-final. The talk from the other group was that Tourlestrane were a high scoring team with a very good full forward. The demeanour of the Sligo management was a confident one based on having won all their games comfortably. Niall Ward suggested playing a sweeper and the tactic worked beautifully. As well as giving extra support to the full back line, it freed up, in this reporter’s opinion, the most accomplished hurler in the competition – Ethan Donnellan to exert an even bigger influence on proceedings.The Sligo outfit showed their quality in the first half by scoring a goal, the first conceded by replacement goalkeeper Braiden Carrigy. However, Donnellan’s pinpoint long range passing set up Conor Spollen for a wonderful hat-trick of goals. Any attempts the Sligo team made to get back into the contest were thwarted by the astonishing interceptions and ball carrying skills of Ryan McGoey - who had his best game of the tournament in the semi – final. Also to the fore was substitute Finn Seoige and a sudden coming alive of skilful wing back MJ Neary.
Feile Final Longford Slashers 2-4 Naomh Brid (Carlow) 1-6
A tactic may work wonderfully in a semi-final but the attempt to replicate it in a final can fail spectacularly. For evidence of this read about the Galway senior hurlers in 1986. This knowledge did not deter management from persisting with using Ethan Donnellan as the sweeper once again in the decider. Yet again his laser like strikes were finding the in-form forward Conor Spollen. In a tense low scoring final - Spollen’s 1-2 was invaluable. Charlie Maguire’s selfless man marking job on the Naomh Brid’s dangerous number 12 was a major factor in why Slashers went in at half time a couple of points up. The young Carlow team got a, very much within earshot, tongue lashing from their manager at half time and it certainly had the desired effect. Naomh Brid on the resumption were winning in every area of the field and even though they struck for 4 unanswered points, it could have been so much more. Slashers battled bravely to quell the advances of the home team but with key players such as Ryan Mc Goey falling foul of cramp; it looked like the sky blues were going to come up just short. With about 4 minutes left on the clock and almost all hope evaporated in the June sun Slashers were awarded a free well out the field. Ethan Donnellan bent, lifted and struck the free goalward. In a fortuitous turn for the away team the Naomh Brid goalkeeper turned the ball into his own net. It was an uncharacteristic piece of low quality in a game that was of a very high standard. With a one point lead, the following few minutes of holding on were interminable for the Slashers crowd. An impulsive expression of relief and joy greeted the referees final whistle.
Anyone who has participated in the Feile competition as a mentor or a player will know it is a wonderful event in the GAA calendar – even in its new more condensed format. In the wider Longford sporting, and even GAA, community this victory may not have much resonance. However, to those of us who toil to preserve and promote our ancient game in the county; it is the culmination of many hours of preparation and a wonderful reward in the record books of GAA history.
Quotes:
“I was very proud to be chosen to be part of the panel at 13 and even more so when I got time on the pitch. It was a long day, tiring & hot but I felt huge relief and excitement when we finally won. I really enjoyed the day with my teamamtes.” Jack O Rourke
“The craic we had on the day I will never forget with all my teammates” Conor Spollen
Special thanks must go to all those who contributed to the go fund me on the club Facebook page (Stakelum’s Pharmacy and Harney’s Jewellers especially) and to Derek & Anita Swaris for organising. Thanks to Brid Walsh and Adrian Galvin for organising the gear for the players - where we would have won the best turned out award if one existed. Thank you to Ambrose McGoey and Paul Spollen for their tireless efforts in all areas for this year and others. Thank you Eamonn Seoige and Herterich’s for supplying food, equipment and refreshments. Thank you to all parents for your unswerving support and commitment to your young hurlers.
-Robbie Stakelum
Longford Slashers 5-09 Ederney (Fermanagh) 0-2
Despite the Fermanagh team warming up in a circle right beside Longford Slashers base on pitch no.2, it was the sky-blue team that fired themselves into an early and lasting ascendancy. Goals from twin co-captains Sean Galvin (netted in the first half) and Ethan Galvin (scored a goal in the second half) – helped Slashers to a dream start. Goals win games and Slasher’s ability to score majors was a big factor in their eventual win, however it was defensively that Slashers were most impressive in their first game – curtailing their rivals to two late consolation points when the game was over as a contest. Credit for this shut down must go to the miserly full back line lead by the fair haired Luke Kenny and ably assisted by cornerbacks Rian Foley and Stephen Cox. These tidy corner backs were replaced seamlessly by Jack O’Rourke and Leo Kelly.
Longford Slashers 3-08 Knockbridge (Louth) 0-3
On the same pitch no. 2 Slashers continued in similar vein against their ‘wee county opponents’. Star scorer Conor Spollen, who finished the previous game with 1-3 to his name was on the score sheet early and often in this second game. Conor got an array of different types of scores, striking on both sides over the bar and cleverly batting the ball into the net to avoid being hooked. He was by a distance the most impressive corner forward in the competition. He finished this game with an impressive 2-3. A corner forward is only as good as the ball coming in from out the field and in this regard there seemed to be a conveyor belt of quality ball coming from a dynamic midfield of Lorcan Mc Dermott and Ryan McGoey. Lorcan’s high fielding and Ryan’s ability to run at the defences were a joy to behold for Slasher’s supporters. Slashers had 2 new recruits from the U15 Slashers football team for this tournament and their athleticism and ball-winning ability were very much to the fore in this game. Setanta Smith and Charlie Maguire were to maintain that high level of contribution throughout the tournament.
Longford Slashers 1-05 Naomh Brid Carlow 0-08
This was the defining game of the competition for Slashers when the two top teams battled it out for group supremacy. Naomh Brid, a team who play their league games in the hurling stronghold of Kilkenny were a physically imposing team with accomplished hurlers all over the field. Perhaps predictably, the home side asserted themselves early taking advantage of Slashers hesitancy. There seemed to be an early acceptance among the Slashers boys that the Carlow team were better and should win. Cian Kenny, playing on the 40, was not accepting this narrative. Already bruised from previous physical encounters with bigger adversaries – the young Kenagh bristled with intent and hauled his teammates back into the contest with a magnificent individual goal, the game’s solitary major. Spurred on by this, Slashers hurled well and threw over hard-earned points through Conor Spollen and Setanta Smith. Despite being outplayed for much of the half, Slashers went in at half time well in the game. The talk at the break was all about the realisation that Slashers were every bit as good as their opponents and this new-found belief was very evident in a second half performance that was full of grit and teamwork. Slashers had the lion’s share of possession in the second half but the game finished in a draw. Hands were shaken afterwards and the Carlow management predicted we would meet again later in the day.
Longford Slashers 3-7 Tourlestrane (Sligo) 1-3
Coming second in the group on score difference meant we had to meet the Group 2 winners, Tourlestrane of Sligo, in the semi-final. The talk from the other group was that Tourlestrane were a high scoring team with a very good full forward. The demeanour of the Sligo management was a confident one based on having won all their games comfortably. Niall Ward suggested playing a sweeper and the tactic worked beautifully. As well as giving extra support to the full back line, it freed up, in this reporter’s opinion, the most accomplished hurler in the competition – Ethan Donnellan to exert an even bigger influence on proceedings.The Sligo outfit showed their quality in the first half by scoring a goal, the first conceded by replacement goalkeeper Braiden Carrigy. However, Donnellan’s pinpoint long range passing set up Conor Spollen for a wonderful hat-trick of goals. Any attempts the Sligo team made to get back into the contest were thwarted by the astonishing interceptions and ball carrying skills of Ryan McGoey - who had his best game of the tournament in the semi – final. Also to the fore was substitute Finn Seoige and a sudden coming alive of skilful wing back MJ Neary.
Feile Final Longford Slashers 2-4 Naomh Brid (Carlow) 1-6
A tactic may work wonderfully in a semi-final but the attempt to replicate it in a final can fail spectacularly. For evidence of this read about the Galway senior hurlers in 1986. This knowledge did not deter management from persisting with using Ethan Donnellan as the sweeper once again in the decider. Yet again his laser like strikes were finding the in-form forward Conor Spollen. In a tense low scoring final - Spollen’s 1-2 was invaluable. Charlie Maguire’s selfless man marking job on the Naomh Brid’s dangerous number 12 was a major factor in why Slashers went in at half time a couple of points up. The young Carlow team got a, very much within earshot, tongue lashing from their manager at half time and it certainly had the desired effect. Naomh Brid on the resumption were winning in every area of the field and even though they struck for 4 unanswered points, it could have been so much more. Slashers battled bravely to quell the advances of the home team but with key players such as Ryan Mc Goey falling foul of cramp; it looked like the sky blues were going to come up just short. With about 4 minutes left on the clock and almost all hope evaporated in the June sun Slashers were awarded a free well out the field. Ethan Donnellan bent, lifted and struck the free goalward. In a fortuitous turn for the away team the Naomh Brid goalkeeper turned the ball into his own net. It was an uncharacteristic piece of low quality in a game that was of a very high standard. With a one point lead, the following few minutes of holding on were interminable for the Slashers crowd. An impulsive expression of relief and joy greeted the referees final whistle.
Anyone who has participated in the Feile competition as a mentor or a player will know it is a wonderful event in the GAA calendar – even in its new more condensed format. In the wider Longford sporting, and even GAA, community this victory may not have much resonance. However, to those of us who toil to preserve and promote our ancient game in the county; it is the culmination of many hours of preparation and a wonderful reward in the record books of GAA history.
Quotes:
“I was very proud to be chosen to be part of the panel at 13 and even more so when I got time on the pitch. It was a long day, tiring & hot but I felt huge relief and excitement when we finally won. I really enjoyed the day with my teamamtes.” Jack O Rourke
“The craic we had on the day I will never forget with all my teammates” Conor Spollen
Special thanks must go to all those who contributed to the go fund me on the club Facebook page (Stakelum’s Pharmacy and Harney’s Jewellers especially) and to Derek & Anita Swaris for organising. Thanks to Brid Walsh and Adrian Galvin for organising the gear for the players - where we would have won the best turned out award if one existed. Thank you to Ambrose McGoey and Paul Spollen for their tireless efforts in all areas for this year and others. Thank you Eamonn Seoige and Herterich’s for supplying food, equipment and refreshments. Thank you to all parents for your unswerving support and commitment to your young hurlers.
-Robbie Stakelum
