Longford drop down into Division 4 as defeat in Newry makes relegation a reality

Down . . . 1-19    Longford . . . 1-14

The hosts were also rocked when midfielder Mark Walsh suffered a serious injury that necessitated him being carried off after lengthy stoppage, and Longford settled well, sharing the first eight points equally.

Oran Kenny and Michael Quinn gave the visiting supporters something to cheer about when they fired over outstanding points, but the team lost their way a bit in the second quarter and needed a flicked goal from Dessie Reynolds to ensure they were level at half-time, 0-9 to 1-6.

Jack Macken and Dylan Farrell (a free) pointed early in the second half to nudge Longford in front, but Down always had that bit more class up front through Pat Havern, Liam Kerr and Ryan Johnston. 

Havern and Johnston shot three points from play each while Kerr opened up the Longford defence on a couple of occasions with devastating runs, including one which earned a penalty and a black card for Joseph Hagan, later converted to red following some dissent shown.

Longford keeper Paddy Collum got down well to parry Kerr’s penalty, but luck wasn’t on the side of the Fr. Manning Gaels man, or the team, as the ball agonisingly crept across the line before he could clear it at the second attempt.

Longford continued to battle manfully and almost had a second goal through Daire O’Brien, who impressed after coming on to operate as a target man full-forward, but a remarkable block from Finn McElroy summed up a difficult night, and a difficult campaign as a whole, for the midlanders under the guidance of their new manager Paddy Christie.

Longford drop down into Division 4 of the National Football League for the first time since 2015 with Antrim's surprise win over Cavan earlier in the day proving to be a massive blow.   

Down Scorers: Liam Kerr 1-5 (1-0 pen, 0-4f), Pat Havern 0-5 (0-2f), Ryan Johnston 0-3, Miceál Rooney 0-2, Michael Ireland 0-1, Conor McCrickard 0-1, Eamon Brown 0-1, Niall Kane 0-1 (‘45).

Longford Scorers: Dylan Farrell 0-5 (0-3f), Dessie Reynolds 1-1, Oran Kenny 0-1, Michael Quinn 0-1, Daniel Mimnagh 0-1, Darren Gallagher 0-1, Jack Macken 0-1, Keelin McGann 0-1, Fergal Sheridan 0-1, Daire O’Brien 0-1.

DOWN: Charlie Smyth; Peter Fegan, Ryan McEvoy, Finn McElroy; Ryan Johnston, Pierce Laverty, Conor Fitzpatrick; Pat Havern, Mark Walsh; Miceál Rooney, Donach McAleenan, Liam Kerr; Jerome Johnston, Michael Ireland, Conor McCrickard.  

Subs:- Tom Close for Walsh (13 mins); Niall Kane for Smyth (half-time); Rory Mason for McCrickard (39 mins); Eamon Brown for Ireland (39 mins), Conor Francis for J Johnston (53 mins).

LONGFORD: Paddy Collum (Fr Manning Gaels); Barry O’Farrell (Carrickedmond), Andrew Farrell (Cashel), Patrick Fox (Mullinalaghta); Iarla O’Sullivan (Rathcline), Michael Quinn (Killoe), Ryan Moffett (Killoe); Jack Macken (Colmcille), Darren Gallagher (Granard); Dylan Farrell (Killashee), Daniel Mimnagh (Killoe), Joseph Hagan (Dromard); Rian Brady (Mullinalaghta), Dessie Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s), Oran Kenny (Rathcline).

Subs:- Aaron Farrell (Dromard) for Brady (40 mins); Peter Foy (St. Loman’s, Mullingar) for O’Farrell (45 mins), Keelin McGann (Kenagh) for Kenny (45 mins), Daire O’Brien (Longford Slashers) for Reynolds (60 mins), Fergal Sheridan (Colmcille) for Macken (68 mins).

Referee: Sean Laverty (Antrim).