For the small contingent of Longwood supporters in Trim on Saturday afternoon, the over-riding feeling at the end of the game was surely a sense of pride. Pride in our club and pride in our team. That our senior hurlers had just suffered defeat at the hands of Ratoath barely seemed to matter.

The men from Longwood, shorn of a number of regular starters, had performed with incredible heart throughout the contest, only tiring in the last 10 minutes. A late scoring burst from Ratoath gave the scoreboard a lopsided and rather misleading look at the end.

The game may have been irrelevant in terms of group placings, but Longwood were up for the battle from the outset. Damien Healy signalled his intent as early as the fourth minute, taking the bull by the horns and rifling a close-in free to the back of the net. Ratoath responded with a string of points before a pair of Anthony Healy frees left the sides level at the first water break.

Two quick-fire points saw the men in blue and gold regain the lead. This only served to sting Longwood into action. It may have also had something to do with an off the ball challenge on Ryan Moore – a challenge that somehow went unseen by all seven officials on duty. After receiving some treatment, Moore resumed his midfield duties. Longwood grasped control; another Damien Healy goal was followed by an excellent point from Aaron Ennis, the culmination of some excellent team play.

Ratoath responded with a point but this was soon cancelled out as Gavin Griffin seized on a loose ball before dispatching it to the bottom corner of the net. This ensured Longwood took a three-point lead to the virtual dressing rooms at the break.

Half-time: Longwood 3-3 Ratoath 0-9

From the restart, Ratoath quickly reduced the deficit courtesy of two quick points from play. Once again Damien Healy stood tall against the tide – another 20-metre free was drilled to the net, passing at least 5 Ratoath hurleys on it’s short journey! Damo, who apparently has to be fouled 4 times before he can win a free, was a constant thorn in the opposition’s side. He took plenty of punishment but, warrior that he is, shrugged it off before focussing on the next ball.

A free from Anthony Healy, sandwiched between a brace of Ratoath points, gave Longwood a two-point lead with twenty minutes remaining. Spectators were robbed of seeing what would surely have been the score of the game when a Ryan Moore shot went narrowly wide. The mazy, meandering run that preceded the shot was a sight to behold as Moore left a number of dizzied opponents trailing in his wake.

The following five minutes proved to be crucial with Ratoath scoring two goals and a point without reply, the second goal coming from a penalty. For Longwood it was to be a bridge too far. That said, they never dropped their heads as evidenced by a couple of more points from the Healy brothers.

Ultimately Ratoath’s strength in depth was telling in the closing minutes and they added another four points as Longwood finally ran out of steam.

Full-time: Ratoath 3-22 Longwood 4-6

Longwood: Mark Kennedy, Johnny Furey, Niall Mulvey, Joe Stenson, David Dixon, Mickey Burke, Aaron Ennis (0-1), Ryan Moore, Karl Ennis, Gavin Griffin (1-0), Damien Healy (3-1), Sean Coloe, Cathal Campbell, Anthony Healy (0-4), Jim Dorran. Subs: Kevin Maguire for Jim Dorran, Jim Mahon for Cathal Campbell.

A typically brave and resolute display by Longwood. To a man, they gave all that they had.

A meaningless fixture, a dead rubber? Absolutely not – the boys showed that every time you pull on the Longwood jersey, it means something. A privilege, an honour, a responsibility. They served their club well on Saturday. Well done lads.

Maigh Dearmhaí abú!