Longford on the road to redemption for clash against Cavan

There was a lot of hope going into the National Football League after collecting some silverware but the subsequent consecutive defeats against Fermanagh and Westmeath has put their Division 3 status in peril. 

It is hard to explain how Longford were torched against Westmeath by the massive margin of 19 points after racing into a promising 0-8 to 0-4 lead approaching the half-time break in the Round 2 fixture at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.

But the alarm bells were ringing in the aftermath of the disappointing defeat away to Fermanagh in Round 1 and it remains to be seen what the manager Paddy Christie and his fellow mentors Dessie Sloyan, James Glancy and Michael Kenny can do to halt the slide into a probable relegation battle.  

Under pressure Longford are on the road to redemption and make the short trip to Kingspan Breffni Park on Sunday next (throw-in 2pm) to take on the neighbouring rivals Cavan.

Mickey’s Graham’s charges have got off to the best possible start with wins away to Westmeath (0-12 to 1-6) and at home to Tipperary (1-19 to 1-7) and the current league leaders will be in a confident frame of mind.

The general opinion is that Longford are facing a very tough task but stranger things have been known to happen, particularly in the local derby situation with the Arva and Gowna players in opposition. 

Cavan will be missing commanding midfielder Thomas Galligan, winner of an All-Star award when the Covid hampered Ulster senior title was surprisingly won in November 2020, while another notable absentee so far this season is powerful centre-half-forward Gearoid McKiernan.

While Galligan is not available as he is currently travelling abroad, McKiernan is on his way back and could feature against Longford. 

Other regulars returning are Gerry Smith, Jason McLoughlin, Conor Brady and Killian Brady and with the emergence of promising young players, Cavan are in good shape at the moment.

Dara McVeety, back in  the squad for the first time since 2019, was Cavan’s best player in the comprehensive victory over Tipperary and the centre-half-back kicked three cracking points in the first half. 

Flanked by fellow defenders Ciaran ‘Holla’ Brady (Arva) and Tiarnan Madden (Gowna), this strong line will take some stopping as will the probable full-forward-line of Oisin Brady, Ryan O’Neill and the vastly experienced Martin Reilly who clocked up 1-10 between them against Tipperary. 

With a couple of other 2020 All-Stars in goalkeeper Raymond Galligan and full-back Padraig Faulkner, Cavan are looking strong this season and are fancied to maintain their unbeaten run in Division 3 in moving a step closer to promotion.

In the wake of the Westmeath nightmare, changes are expected on the Longford team and a major overall improvement will be needed to have any hope of springing a surprise in front of the anticipated big attendance at Kingspan Breffni Park on Sunday. 

Allianz National Football League Division 3 

Round 3 Fixtures

Saturday February 18

FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles: Tipperary v Antrim, 6pm 

Sunday February 19

Kingspan Breffni Park: Longford v Cavan, 2pm

 St Joseph's Park, Ederney: Fermanagh v Down, 1pm

 TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar: Westmeath v Offaly, 2pm