Time for Longford to deliver a significant result
Leinster Senior Football Championship Round 1 v Offaly on Sunday
While supporters have become increasingly frustrated with the poor run of results, the picture will change with one significant win and Longford would appear to have a good chance of defeating Offaly in the Leinster Senior Football Championship Round 1 game at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday, throw-in 3pm.
Just a single point separated the sides when the counties clashed in the league on the first Sunday in March and Longford pressed the self-destruct button in that unlucky loss after shooting a total of 16 wides.
There was nothing at stake when a win in a very poor league campaign was finally registered against Antrim in the last round of fixtures but it was a championship boost all the same despite the meaningless nature of the match that was watched by a sparse attendance.
The high profile appointment of former Dublin All-Star defender Christie and the other members of the management was greeted with general approval and hopes were raised with the victory over Louth in the final of the tarnished pre-season tournament that was wrecked by a series of walkovers.
A lot has changed since that bright day in January and no longer part of the panel are James McGivney, Gary Rogers, Rian Brady and Robbie Smyth - former regulars who had all returned to join the new regime.
Another blow for the manager was the injury setback that ruled David McGivney out of action for a number of weeks and while the enforced absence of the Mullinalaghta man is a setback, Paddy Christie is in an upbeat mood approaching the championship.
“As regards the championship, we’re playing Offaly, who arguably we should have beaten in the league, so that gives us a chance there. I’m sure they’ll still feel that they’re in pole position.
“But psychologically, we have something to aim for, and we have something to aim for in the Tailteann Cup, because when we got going in certain patches, we did play well.
“We’re trying to build for the future and in that regard you’re trying to mould younger players into something,” stated Christie.
The time has come for Longford to deliver a significant result with the huge incentive of another home match against Meath in the Leinster quarter-final should they succeed in crossing the first hurdle.