Longford narrowly missed out on a crucial two points in a blustery Pearse Park at the weekend, in our second round NFL clash with recent rivals Louth as our opponents snatched a late equaliser. Longford took the lead for the first time in the 60th minute and it looked Dessie Reynolds point in the 68th would be enough to get the two points. Queue seven minutes of injury time and a late monstrous effort from Louth’s Sam Mulroy meant both sides had to share the spoils.
When it came to Louth, Mulroy stepped up when it was needed. After slipping an early goal past by the excellent Paddy Collum with characteristic calm, he seized the chance to equalise at the death.
Longford though, will be disappointed not to have got the full reward for an excellent effort which included brilliant performances in defence from Andrew Farrell, Barry O’ Farrell and Paddy Fox. With Drumlish’s Collum as the anchor, Longford put in a superb defensive performance which also yielded a point apiece from attacking wing backs Iarla O’ Sullivan and James Moran (the Killoe man’s first point in the senior jersey). Paddy Fox also chipped in with an early point while captain Michael Quinn operated in an almost quarterback role at centre back, orchestrating attacks and being a focal point in defense.
Longford have gotten a recent stranglehold on this fixture that would have eluded them in years gone by. It is five years, since Louth beat Longford in a competitive fixture; a near replica of last Sunday’s clash as they narrowly overcame Longford in a low scoring clash in the second round of the NFL Division 3 in 2017. Since then, Longford have had two championship victories, two O’Byrne Cup wins including our miraculous comeback in this year’s campaign and a draw in 2019, two league wins came in 2019 and 2020 respectively, while Sunday’s draw means we are without defeat in eight games. This is no mean feat, as Louth are always a difficult opponent and no more so when the formidable Mickey Harte is on the sideline.
Mulroy opened the scoring with a green flag and Longford supporters were expecting another tormenting performance like he gave in Mullingar in the LSFC in 2020. That day the marquee forward accounted for all his side’s tally of 1-7, but the Naomh Mairtin man was well marshalled throughout in Sunday’s affair.
Longford replied well with white Flags from Jayson Matthews and defenders O’ Sullivan and Fox to ensure a good reply to the three pointer. Louth then kicked ahead with two long range points from Ciaran Byrne. Gallagher and Mulroy traded frees before the break, to leave the interval score at 1-3 to 0-4 after a lethargic first half where despite having the aid of the breeze, Longford struggled to make a capable impact.
On the restart, Longford looked more energetic and decisive on the ball and out-scored their opponents even as the gusty wind seemed to pick up pace. Jayson Matthews kicked a free at the beginning of the half which was answered with a silky effort from Ciarán Downey. Louth would not score for another 20 minutes as Longford gained a foothold.
Darren Gallagher pointed from a free after good work from Dessie Reynolds and James Moran equalised when he split the posts in the 45th minute. Another fifteen minutes would pass without a score as both sides were hampered by the difficult conditions and sometimes ponderous build up play. Gallagher then notched a close range free to give Longford the lead for the first time with ten minutes to play.
Clutch Mulroy popped up again to draw the scores level for the third time with a skillful point showing great resilience after he had a missed a few previous opportunities. Dessie Reynolds used his pace to great effect to get Longford’s final score in the 68th minute. Longford with the help of the fresh legs now on the field, looked to be holding out for a crucial two points before Mulroy equalised for the final time with the last action of the game.
Billy O’Loughlin and the lads now have a break this week to prepare for the local derby in Mullingar on Sunday week which is also a preview for our championship opener in May. Longford supporters are encouraged to make the trip to Cusack Park to support the lads. With the break from football this weekend, supporters are encouraged to come out and support the Longford hurlers in their first league game against Fermanagh on Sunday at 2pm in Pearse Park.
Longford GAA also wish Darragh Doherty a speedy recovery after taking a knock in Sunday’s clash.
Longford: Paddy Collum; Patrick Fox 0-1, Andrew Farrell, Barry O’Farrell; James Moran 0-1, Michael Quinn, Iarla O’Sullivan 0-1; Darren Gallagher 0-3 (3f), Ryan Moffett; Keelin McGann, Joe Hagan, Dessie Reynolds 0-1; Robbie Smyth, Jayson Matthews 0-2 (1f), Darragh Doherty.
Subs: Oran Kenny for Doherty (28), Ross McNerney for Hagan (54) Daniel Reynolds for McGann (58), Aidan McGuire for Smyth (64), Peter Lynn for Matthews (68).
Louth: James Califf; Daniel Corcoran, Dermot Campbell, Donal McKenny; Liam Jackson, Niall Sharkey, Eoghan Callaghan; Bevan Duffy, Conor Early; Ciarán Byrne 0-2, Sam Mulroy 1-3 (0-2f), Ciarán Downey 0-1; Tadhg McEnaney, Conor Grimes, Ryan Burns.
Subs: Tommy Durnin for Duffy (35, temporary), Duffy for Durnin (HT), Jay Hughes for McEnaney (45), Craig Lennon for Burns (45), Dáire McConnon for Grimes (54), John Clutterbuck for Jackson (61).
Referee: Niall McKenna (Monaghan).
Allianz NFL Div 3 – Longford v Louth
