Longford hurlers maintain unbeaten run in quest for league title success with win over Leitrim

Longford . . . 2-15    Leitrim . . . 1-7

The Longford senior hurlers are guaranteed at least a semi-final spot in Division 3B of the National League after scoring a comfortable win over Leitrim in the Round 4 clash at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday. 

Full-forward Cathal Mullane got both goals, the first with just four minutes gone in the game, and the Limerick native found the back of the Leitrim net again midway through the second half to put the issue beyond all doubt.

Just before that the visitors were given a glimmer of hope when Joe Murray broke through to score a well-taken goal to close the gap to four points (1-9 to 1-5) but Longford stepped up another gear in adding a killer second goal and six more points to their tally during the remainder of the match - five from frees converted by Reuben Murray.

The home side led by 1-5 to 0-3 at the break but Leitrim suffered a big blow when midfielder Martin Feeney was sent-off for a straight red card in first half stoppage time with the neighbouring rivals facing a real uphill battle on the changeover.

Longford will qualify directly for the Division 3B title decider should they succeed in getting the better of the also unbeaten Fermanagh in Enniskillen on Saturday next. 

LONGFORD: Pat Burke (Ringtown, Westmeath); Diarmaid Caslin (Longford Slashers), Eamon Allen (Kilmacud Crokes), Karl Murray (Longford Slashers); Charles Flynn  (Ringtown), Johnny Casey (Longford Slashers), Evan Tully (Wolfe Tones); David Buckley (Longford Slashers, 0-1), Paddy Lynam (St Oliver Plunketts Mullingar, 0-5, 4 frees); Reuben Murray (Longford Slashers 0-6, 6 frees), Sean Lancaster (Castlepollard, 0-1), Maitiu O’Donohoe (Wolfe Tones Mostrim); Stephen Gregg (Clonguish Gaels), Cathal Mullane (Wolfe Tones, 2-2), Micheal Mulcahy (Longford Slashers).

Subs:- Kealan Cox (Longford Slashers) for S Gregg (43 mins); Dan Crossan (Clonguish) for M O’Donohoe (65 mins); Daire Regan (Longford Slashers) for C Flynn (67 mins). 

LEITRIM: Clement Cunniffe; Evan Cox, Stephen Goldrick, Pearse Kenny; Paul Lenehan, Conor Beirne (0-1), Kevin Clerkin; Joe Murray (1-3, 2 frees, 1 ‘65), Martin Feeney (0-1); Sean O’Riordan, Gavin O’Hagan (0-2, 1 free), Michael O’Brien; Dylan McDermott, Senan Keane, Conor Hackett.

Subs:- Jerome Fitzgibbon for S Keane (half-time); James McNabola for S O’Riordan (half-time); Brian Goldrick for P Kenny (half-time); Daithi Keane for D McDermott (60 mins); Tom McNabola for P Lenehan (67 mins). 

Referee: Michael Connolly (Sligo).