Glimmer of hope if Longford can overcome Offaly!

Watched by the sparse attendance in the region of 300, Paddy Christie’s charges were five points down in the closing stages of the crucial Division 3 match at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last but showed a lot of resilience to produce a late, late surge with substitute Oran Kenny firing over the equalising point in the sixth minute of stoppage time. 

Having said that, Longford were very poor in failing to register a score for 32 minutes of the second half before enjoying a new lease of life and that will surely give them a big lift going into the make or break showdown at home to Offaly on Sunday next, throw-in 2pm. 

With the counties clashing again in the opening round of the Leinster Championship at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday April 9, the league meeting is a very significant fixture in Longford’s fierce struggle to avoid the drop down into Division 4. 

While facing the serious threat of relegation, things will take on a different complexion with a win over Offaly who have lost their last couple of league games at home to Cavan and away to Westmeath. 

The former Limerick, Laois and Tipperary manager Liam Kearns is now in charge of the faithful county who made a very bright start in the so competitive Division 3 with a 2-12 to 0-12 win over Antrim in Belfast. 

Offaly built on that positive result with a narrow 1-9 to 1-8 success in the next round against Fermanagh in Tullamore and their dangermen are Dylan Hyland and Anton Sullivan in the full-forward-line. 

The vastly experienced Niall McNamee and Johnny Moloney may be missing so far this season but Offaly will still be hard beaten in the knowledge that another win would secure their Division 3 status. 

Inconsistent Longford, who led at half-time against Westmeath and Tipperary, need to keep going for the full 70 minutes and to cut out the many mistakes that has cost them dearly.

Taking into account that Down are next up in Newry on Saturday March 18, Paddy Christie does not need to be told that victory is a must against Offaly. 

Some of the Longford players have become disillusioned with the selection process by the management team with James McGivney and Gary Rogers  apparently  gone from  the squad. 

With another home game to come in the final round against Antrim, there is still a chance that the under pressure county could survive in the fight for safety but it is a real uphill battle.

Allianz NFL Division 3

Round 4 Results

 Longford 0-14 Tipperary 1-11

Antrim 3-9 Fermanagh 2-13

Down 1-10 Westmeath 0-11

Offaly 0-14 Cavan 0-21

Round 5 Fixtures

Sunday March 5

Glennon Brothers Pearse Park: Longford v Offaly, 2pm

 St Joseph’s Park, Ederney: Fermanagh v Tipperary, 1pm

 TEG Cusack Park: Westmeath v Antrim, 2pm

 Kingspan Breffni Park: Cavan v Down, 2pm