Longford facing must win match against Tipperary

Allianz National Football League Division 3 - Round 4

Paddy Christie and the other members of the management team are feeling the pressure in the quest to consolidate the Division 3 status in the National Football League but the county can still survive with a couple of other home games to come against Offaly (March 5) and Antrim (March 26).

Losing to Fermanagh, Westmeath and Cavan by the combined total of 37 points is a demoralising situation but surely Longford are better than this as the beleaguered players prepare to take on fellow strugglers Tipperary who have lost their first three league fixtures.

The absence of former All-Star forwards Conor Sweeney (cruciate injury) and Michael Quinlivan (work commitments) is a huge blow for David Power’s side who were the shock winners of the Covid hampered Munster Championship in November 2020.

Power had Paddy Christie as one of his senior selectors for the past few seasons, including the famous provincial title triumph, while the current Longford boss was in charge of the Tipperary U-20 footballers last year.

Christie was also a selector as Tipperary reached the 2022 Allianz National Football League Division 4 Final against Cavan in gaining promotion so the former Dublin All-Star defender has a significant insight into the opposition on Sunday.

After running Down close in Thurles (2-11 to 1-11) in the opening round, Tipp suffered tough defeats away to Cavan (1-19 to 1-7) and at home to Antrim (1-19 to 0-14) and would also appear to be in a vulnerable state at the moment.

Should Longford lose against Tipperary then the battle to avoid relegation is almost certainly a mission impossible but with home advantage and a lot of pride at stake a precious victory will hopefully be achieved.

Allianz NFL Division 3

Round 3 Results

Cavan 1-19 Longford 0-11

Tipperary 0-14 Antrim 1-19

Fermanagh 2-14 Down 3-10

Westmeath 2-12 Offaly 0-12

Allianz NFL Division 3

Round 4 Fixtures

Saturday February 25

Corrigan Park, Belfast: Antrim v Fermanagh, 2pm

Pairc Esler, Newry: Down v Westmeath, 6pm

Sunday February 26