Missed goal chances so costly as Longford lose to Down in Tailteann Cup exit

Down . . . 1-20    Longford . . . 1-12

A surprisingly small attendance gathered at Paire Esler in Newry on Saturday evening to watch this lively encounter unfold and the Mournemen were most fortunate not to be further behind at the break as the highly charged midlanders produced a terrific counter-attacking performance to rattle the red-hot favourites.

When a speculative shot from Joseph Hagan was fumbled over the line by the Down keeper Niall Kane in the 28th minute, Longford led by five points (1-7 to 0-5) and a shock result might well have materialised had Hagan not squandered the clear-cut opportunity of a second goal soon after.

The slick Dromard attacker was clean through when his shot was saved by Kane and then Darragh Doherty had a goal attempt blocked by opposing defender Patrick McCarthy.

The slack Down defence, who were being torn apart, had another very lucky escape when the tenacious Longford corner-back Patrick Fox drove the ball inches wide of the post after surging forward on another of his trademark penetrating runs in the 35th minute.  

Moments later, the home county were awarded a penalty but the kick taken by towering midfielder Odhran Murdock was deflected against the post by Longford keeper Paddy Collum in making an excellent save. 

Minus the injured Oran Kenny, Longford had to be content with a narrow 1-8 to 0-8 lead at half-time and while Down could have been dead and buried at that stage, they clicked into top gear on the changeover in outscoring Longford by 1-12 to 0-4. 

A major factor in their strong recovery was the introduction of influential substitutes (who accounted for 1-5) and it was one of those replacements Danny Magill who weaved his way through across the face of the Longford goalmouth to score the crucial goal in the 45th minute. 

That left the sides all square (1-10 to 1-10) and Down pushed on to punish a fading Longford side who were running out of steam after producing such a high intensity first half display. 

With those tired players, one wonders why Paddy Christie and his fellow mentors waited until the 60th minute to bring on their first substitute - defender Barry O’Farrell replacing attacker Dylan Farrell. 

Fresh legs were required in the heavy humid conditions but what has been the case in a number of games this season the management team were slow to make changes and their reign (apparently fixed for a three-year term) must be coming under considerable scrutiny in the aftermath of a very poor season with relegation to Division 4 of the National League the lowest point.  

Having said that, Longford were trailing by just three points (1-15 to 1-12) when Keelin McGann shot over the bar in the 61st minute and the gap would have been even closer had Andrew Farrell, now operating as the target man at full-forward in his switch from the defence, managed to find the back of the net from a double goal attempt in the 66th minute.

Farrell's first effort was blocked and he was then denied by the opposing keeper Niall Kane who produced a fine reflex save to keep his net intact and the Down netminder also stopped a snap shot from Dessie Reynolds in the 69th minute.   

Whatever slim chance Longford had of salvaging the situation were dashed when Aaron Farrell was branded with a black card in the 67th minute and the losers ended up with 13 players on the pitch after substitute Daire O’Brien was dismissed for the same offence in the seventh minute of stoppage time. 

Down closed out the game in some style with four points in a row through Pat Havern, Rory Mason (two frees) and Eugene Branagan as Longford suffered another demoralising defeat but it was some sort of rough justice after playing so well in the first half to give their loyal supporters in Newry something to shout about.

The only way is up for the county senior footballers and a lot has gone wrong since the O’Byrne Cup triumph back in January which turned out to be a false dawn!  

DOWN: Niall Kane; Anthony Doherty, Pierce Laverty, Patrick McCarthy (0-1); Gerard Collins, Ryan Magill, Daniel Guinness; Shane Annett, Odhran Murdock; Ceilum Doherty (0-1), Donach McAleenan (0-1), Liam Kerr (0-1); Andrew Gilmore (0-3, 1 free), Pat Havern (0-6, 2 frees), Eugene Branagan (0-2). 

Subs:- Ross Carr (0-2, 1 mark) for G Collins (33 mins); Danny Magill (1-0) for S Annett (half-time); Rory Mason (0-3, 2 frees) for D McAleenan (47 mins); Eamon Brown for A Gilmore (55 mins); Miceal Rooney for L Kerr (60 mins). 

LONGFORD: Paddy Collum (Fr Manning Gaels); Patrick Fox (Mullinalaghta, 0-1), Andrew Farrell (Cashel), Bryan Masterson (Abbeylara); Peter Lynn (Longford Slashers), Michael Quinn (Killoe), Iarla O’Sullivan (Rathcline); Ryan Moffet (Killoe), Darren Gallagher (Granard, 0-1, sideline kick); Dylan Farrell (Killashee, 0-2, ‘45 & free), Dessie Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s, 0-1), Joseph Hagan (Dromard, 1-3); Aaron Farrell (Dromard), Keelin McGann (Kenagh, 0-2), Darragh Doherty (Mostrim, 0-2, 1 mark). 

Subs:- Barry O’Farrell (Carrickedmond) for D Farrell (60 mins); Matt Duffy (Dromard) for D Doherty (62 mins); Daire O’Brien (Longford Slashers) for D Reynolds (70 mins); Ruairi Harkin (Colmcille) for P Lynn (70 mins).

Temporary replacement: B O'Farrell for P Lynn (21 mins); Lynn for O’Farrell (24 mins).

Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).