Poor Longford stuck in Division 4 as Wexford strike shattering blow

Wexford . . . 2-18    Longford . . . 2-9

Blown apart by a slick and superior Wexford side in the first half, Longford’s promotion hopes were struck by a shattering blow after producing a poor performance in the make or break National Football League Division 4 last round fixture on Sunday last.

Played in perfect conditions at Chadwicks Wexford Park with a small contingent of loyal away supporters in the attendance, Paddy Christie’s charges were outclassed by the rampant home side with most of the damage inflicted in the first half of the crunch clash.

A cracking goal from the industrious Daniel Mimnagh in the 18th minute left Longford on level terms but Wexford then stepped up another couple of gears to establish a commanding 2-10 to 1-3 lead by the break.

Mark Rossiter converted a penalty in the 26th minute and when impressive defender Glen Malone broke clean through to blast the ball to the back of the net soon after the writing was on the wall for a disjointed Longford outfit. 

The midlanders were fighting a losing battle and while they were given a glimmer of hope with a good goal goal from Cathal McCabe with six minutes gone on the changeover, Wexford kept the scoreboard ticking over to run out easy winners.

It could have been even worse for Longford as the opposition squandered a few more goal chances in the second half.

As it turned out, the comprehensive home victory was all to no avail for Wexford who missed out on promotion based on the head-to-head result against Leitrim as the counties ended up deadlocked on ten points apiece in the table.  

WEXFORD: Rory Turbitt; Eoin Porter, Gavin Sheehan, Darragh Lyons; Kevin O’Grady (0-2),  Paraic Hughes, Glen Malone (1-2); Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes (0-2); Graeme Cullen, Eoghan Nolan, Dylan Furlong (0-1); Mark Rossiter (1-2, goal from penalty), Sean Nolan (0-8, 5 frees, 2 marks), Conor Kinsella (0-1).

Subs:- Ben Brosnan for E Nolan (half-time); Richie Waters for G Cullen (52 mins); Liam O’Connor for D Lyons (62 mins); Cathal Walsh for K O’Grady (62 mins); Dean O’Toole for S Nolan (65 mins). 

LONGFORD: Micheal Hughes; Patrick Fox, Oisin O’Toole, Liam Hughes; Ruairi Harkin, Ryan Moffett, Dessie Reynolds; Darren Gallagher (0-2, free and ‘45), Paddy Kiernan; Daniel Mimnagh (1-2), Joseph Hagan (0-1, free), Daniel Reynolds; Mark Hughes (0-4, 3 frees), Michael Quinn, Cathal McCabe (1-0).

Subs:- Dylan Farrell for Daniel Reynolds (45 mins); Bryan Masterson for R Harkin (45 mins); Jayson Matthews for P Kiernan (49 mins); Bryn Peters for C McCabe (stoppage time); Daire Duggan for J Hagan (stoppage time). 

Referee: Alan Coyne (Westmeath).