LONGSTONE took part in the All Ireland Castlewellan Sevens on Saturday and won the title for the third time in four years to continue their terrific recent record in this competition.

It was also their fourth final in a row. In the group stages Longstone defeated Killeavy, 4-9 to 2-3, Liatroim 3-9 to 1-5, and Donaghmore 3-5 to 1-4.

In the quarter-final tie St Gall’s, 2004 winners, were put out on a scoreline of 1-7 to 1-6.

The semi-final encounter was against Loughinisland and the Stone reached the final on a scoreline of 2-6 to 0-7.

The final was against the host team Castlewellan and it proved to be a tight tussle. At half-time the sides were level, 0-8 apiece. The Town went 11-9 ahead after a few minutes of the second half but Longstone responded with a quick goal and controlled the remainder of the game to win the title and retain the Pat Keown Memorial Cup. Congratulations to the players, namely Mark Doran, Michael Higgins, Cormac Poland, Eamonn Quinn, Barry Doran (captain), Mark Poland, Stephen Doran, Eamonn Trimble and Ryan Kelly, and also to the management team of Frank Dawson, Hugh Trainor, Paul Burden and Paul Murphy who were outstanding throughout. Finally, to put the icing on the cake, Barry Doran was named Player of the Tournament, following in his brother Mark’s footsteps. Mark won it last year.