Michael Flynn goals clinch Longford a place in the U-20 Philly McGuinness Cup Final for the second time

Longford . . . 2-11    Fermanagh . . . 0-10

With Cavan winning against Leitrim in the other remaining group stage fixture in the U-20 Development League, Longford qualified for the league title decider on the head-to-head regulation in a good boost for the Leinster Championship Round 1 fixture at home to Meath on Tuesday March 21.  

Longford and Cavan finished on the same number of points at the top of the table but Kieran Carey’s charges, after beating the Breffni men at Allen Park in the opening round of the league, advance to the final at a neutral venue (probably Philly McGuinness Memorial Park in Mohill) in earning another useful competitive fixture.

Things were very tight against Fermanagh after a couple of cracking points from Micheal Hynes left the sides all square (0-8 to 0-8) before the visitors suffered a significant setback when corner-back Cathair Leonard received a straight red card in the 42nd minute. 

Down to 14 players, Fermanagh were dealt another blow when quick thinking by the impressive Longford full-forward Jamie Brady Hynes (who fired over a total of five points) saw him play a short free to Michael Flynn and the latter made no mistake in finding the back of the net from a close range shot in the 44th minute. 

The game was all over as a contest when corner-forward Flynn weaved his way through the opposing defence to score a great second goal in the 47th minute and Longford ended up winning by the comfortable margin of seven points to reach the Philly McGuinness Cup final for the second time.  

Fermanagh were reduced to 13 players when substitute Diarmuid Owens was sent-off for a second yellow card in stoppage time. 

LONGFORD: Oisin McManus (Killoe); Darragh Finlass (Forgney), Sean Morgan (Longford Slashers), Conor Smith (Clonguish); Diarmuid Farrell (Ardagh Moydow), Dylan Lynch (Sean Connolly’s), Ross Shields (Clonguish); Ben Lynn (Longford Slashers), Matt Duffy (Dromard); Matthew Flynn (Clonguish, 0-1), Micheal Hynes (Granard, 0-2), Gavin Farrelly (Killoe); Jason Glancy (Clonguish), Jamie Brady Hynes (Granard, 0-5, 2 frees, 1 mark), Michael Flynn (Clonguish, 2-2, 1 free).

Subs:- Padraig Boyle (Ballymore) for D Farrell (45 mins); John Rawle (Sean Connolly’s) for B Lynn (53 mins); Eoghan Williams (Colmcille) for J Glancy (53 mins); Cian Sutton (Clonguish, 0-1) for S Morgan (60 mins); Caolan Lynch (Abbeylara) for M Duffy (fifth minute of stoppage time). 

FERMANAGH: Ethan McCaffrey (0-1, ‘45); Cal McAnespie, Dara Flanagan, Cathair Leonard; Michael Flanagan, Fionan O’Brien (0-2, frees), Aodghan Kelm; Ross Bogue, Malachy O’Flanagan; Diarmuid King (0-1), Conal Boyle, Conor O’Hanlon (0-5, 3 frees); Ger O’Keefe, Justin McDade, Sean Conlon.

Subs:- Eamon McCabe (0-1) for M O’Flanagan (half-time); Ultan O’Reilly for D Flanagan (36 mins); Caolan Brennan for C McAnespie (injured, 45 mins); Diarmuid Owens for D King (49 mins); Pearse McDermott for A Kelm (49 mins); Cian O’Brien for F O’Brien (57 mins). 

Referee: Kieran Olwell (Meath).