The scoreboard may never lie, but it doesn’t always tell the full story.

While Longwood remain without a win in this season’s league, they delivered a much-improved performance only going down to a determined Ballinlough in the closing minutes of a most entertaining game.

Fielding a much-changed team, Longwood burst from the traps and were three points to the good inside four minutes. Sean Coloe, who caused havoc in the opposing full-back line throughout, signalled his intent with a pair of impressive points from play.

While Ballinlough drew level with a run of three overs, Coloe restored Longwood’s lead with a thunderous drive to the net. Another goal chance was narrowly missed when Ross Kerrigan’s reflex shot flew just over the bar.

The remainder of the opening half saw the teams trade scores as the game ebbed and flowed. Ballinlough edged the final five minutes and restored parity at half-time, 0-8 to 1-5.

After exchanging points in the opening minutes of the second half, Longwood grabbed the lead again when Aaron Ennis was on hand to finish the ball to the net from close range after the Ballinlough keeper could only parry another Coloe piledriver.

Ballinlough then hit a purple patch, five unanswered points saw them lead by three. Longwood remained in touch thanks to further points from Ryan Moore and Aaron Ennis but the men in red would keep them at bay and register the final three points for a somewhat flattering final margin.

Longwood will not be happy to lose a game they could easily have gotten something from, but they will take heart from what was their best performance to date in the league. There is little point in bemoaning the fact that they continue to field without a host of key players; better to focus on the lads who performed with great credit on the night. Young players like Sean O’Shea, Adam O’Brien and Cian O’Hare played well throughout while more experienced warriors like Paul Gill, Niall Mulvey and Sean Coloe led from the front.

The important thing now is to work hard to ensure that the progress continues in the coming rounds of the league.

Longwood: Sean O’Shea, David McQuaid, Adam O’Brien, Paul Gill, Cian O’Hare, Jacob Baldwin, Ross Kerrigan (0-1), Anthony Healy (0-1), Niall Mulvey, Gavin Griffith, Ryan Moore (0-3), Josh Meagher, Sam King, Sean Coloe (1-2), Aaron Ennis (1-2). Subs: Mark Kennedy for Sam King, Cathal Campbell for David McQuaid.