Longford conquer Carlow in quest to qualify for the O’Byrne Cup Final

Longford . . . 0-15      Carlow . . . 0-4 

Watched by a small crowd who braved the bitterly cold weather, the strong wind spoiled this scrappy game that failed to blossom but the Longford manager Paddy Christie will be pleased that his side succeeded in emerging victorious for the second time in the space of a few days.

Longford will qualify for the Leinster senior football tournament should they win (or draw) against Colm O’Rourke’s Meath in Ashbourne on Wednesday night next (throw-in 8pm) in the build-up to the National League Division 3 campaign which starts at the end of January. 

While winning is good for the confidence factor after also defeating an experimental Laois side in Portarlington on Wednesday night, nobody is getting carried away and a much tougher task awaits away to Meath. 

The first quarter of the contest against Carlow was a torrid battle with the visitors opting to play an ultra defensive game, even with the advantage of the significant wind. 

The first score did not materialise until the 15th minute when Dylan Farrell converted a free following a foul on Michael Quinn and another point followed immediately from Keelin McGann.

Longford ended up leading by 0-6 to 0-2 at the break with the other scores coming from Dessie Reynolds (2), Dylan Farrell (free) and Joseph Hagan.  

Carlow had to wait until the 26th minute for their opening score, a free converted by Darragh Foley and the full-forward also accounted for their other point (also a free) in the first half.

While Carlow were the better side in the early stages of the second half and closed the gap when Foley fired over a free, Longford regained control with a brace of points from David McGivney - the second of which was an excellent strike from play in the 45th minute. 

Seven more points were scored during the remainder of the match with Dylan Farrell, Michael Quinn,  Dessie Reynolds and Keelin McGann all on target from play while substitute Robbie Smyth converted three frees in the closing minutes.

Carlow got a consolation score with substitute Cormac Lomax shooting over the bar in the 59th minute and they ended up with 14 players on the pitch when another replacement Padraig Hynes received a black card in the 66th minute. 

LONGFORD: Paddy Collum (Fr Manning Gaels); Barry O’Farrell (Carrickedmond), Andrew Farrell (Cashel), Patrick Fox (Mullinalaghta); Ryan Moffett (Killoe), Gary Rogers (Mullinalaghta), PJ Masterson (Abbeylara); Fergal Sheridan (Colmcille), Darren Gallagher (Granard); Joseph Hagan (Dromard, 0-1), Keelin McGann (Kenagh, 0-2), Michael Quinn (Killoe, 0-1); Dylan Farrell (Killashee, 0-3, two frees), David McGivney (Mullinalaghta, 0-2, one free), Dessie Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s, 0-3).

Subs:- Aaron Farrell (Dromard) for F Sheridan (49 mins); Peter Foy (St Loman’s Mullingar) for G Rogers (54 mins); Ruairi Harkin (Colmcille) for PJ Masterson (58 mins); Robbie Smyth (Abbeylara, 0-3, frees) for D Farrell (58 mins); James McGivney (Mullinalaghta) for J Hagan (58 mins); Jack Macken (Colmcille) for D Reynolds (60 mins); Tadhg McNevin (Longford Slashers) for D Gallagher (60 mins); Jayson Matthews (Mullinalaghta) for M Quinn (60 mins); Micheal Hughes (Killoe) for P Collum (62 mins).

CARLOW: Ciaran Cunningham; Dara Curran, Mikey Bambrick, Jonah Dunne; Seanie Bambrick, Jordan Morrissey, Conor Doyle; Jamie Clarke, Finbarr Kavanagh; Josh Moore, Ciaran Moran, Eric Molloy; Conor Crowley, Darragh Foley (0-3, frees), Colm Hulton.

Subs used:- (all in the second half): Shane Clarke, Liam Brennan, Shane O’Neill, Cormac Lomax (0-1), Padraic Deering, Padraig Hynes, Diarmuid Ruth and Billy Lawlor. 

Referee: Eamon O’Connor (Offaly).