Longford U-20s suffer a severe blow in the defeat against Louth

Louth . . . 3-14  Longford . . . 2-12

Longford’s chances of progressing in the Leinster U-20 Football Championship were dealt a severe blow with the defeat against Louth at Allen Park, Newtownforbes on Tuesday night.

It is still possible for Longford to advance to the knock-out stages if they can overcome Offaly in their remaining Group 1 fixture at Allen Park next Tuesday night (7.30pm) but it also depends on Louth beating Kildare, the reigning All-Ireland champions.

If those results materialise then Kildare (+6), Longford and Offaly (-1) will be locked on two points apiece in the round-robin table.

It will then come down to scores difference to determine who  finishes in second spot with Kieran Carey’s charges currently much inferior on -12 as their championship hopes hang by a thread. 

Offaly sprang a big surprise to beat Kildare by a point while Longford were second best to a physically stronger and sharper Louth side featuring a number of senior panellists.

The visitors dominated the middle third of the field and powerful full-forward Kieran McArdle inflicted most of the damage in finishing up with 2-4 to his credit.

Longford trailed by 2-8 to 2-3 at the break and while they got back on level terms at 2-8 each midway through the second half, Louth then stepped up another gear to hit 1-5 without reply.

To their credit, Longford battled back into the game in reducing the deficit to four points in stoppage time.

Louth had plenty of tall, athletic players around the middle third. They moved the ball quickly and had a range of scoring options.

The bulk of Longford’s scores came from Matthew Carey (0-5, 2f) and the brilliant Michael Flynn (1-3, 2f), both from the host club Clonguish. 

Flynn showcased his sublime skill level on numerous occasions while another Clonguish player, Andrew Flynn, provided great leadership and also scored a cracking goal.

Gavin Farrelly in defence and Brian Mulvey in attack were also prominent.

Matthew Carey opened Longford’s account with a point from a free in the early stages.

Louth replied with their first goal of the game. It was a pacy move, with Liam Flynn supplying Kieran McArdle who finished the ball to the net.

Longford found the net in the 11th minute. Matthew Carey set up Michael Flynn, who finished sweetly to the left of the opposing ‘keeper Cian O’Donoghue.

Louth reeled off two points and then came another score made in Clonguish. A piercing run by Andrew Flynn resulted in him laying off to Matthew Carey, who pointed.

Carey followed up with a tremendous point to level the game at 1-3 each in the 17th minute.

Andrew Flynn bagged Longford’s second goal in the 19th minute. Carey gave him the pass and Flynn finished expertly to the far corner of the net.

Sean Reynolds replied for Louth with a point (many in the stand thought it was wide).

A Louth attack in the 26th minute yielded a penalty, when Sean Callaghan was fouled in the square.

Kieran McArdle fired a powerful spot-kick past Longford keeper Oisin McManus to give Louth a 2-6 to 2-3 lead.

Points followed from substitute Keelan Martin and a brilliant score by McArdle after a blistering run, giving the visitors a five-point lead at half-time.

Longford had a good spell in the third quarter, with scores from Caolan Lynch (a quickly taken free), Michael Flynn, Matthew Carey (two points, one a free) and Paddy Moran. The latter score came after a sustained period of Longford possession.

The game was now level at 2-8 apiece and the crowd were being royally entertained in this high scoring encounter. 

However, Louth then took over and hit 1-5 without reply. The scores came from McArdle, substitute Pierce Grimes Murphy (two), James Maguire (free) and Sean Reynolds. The purple patch was complete with Louth’s third goal.

In a move that in some ways typified modern football, Longford coughed up possession and with everyone committed to that end of the field, Louth launched a quick counter attack in open country.

Sean Reynolds sprinted towards the Longford goal and passed to Liam Flynn, who finished to the net.

It left Louth very much in the driving seat. Longford did battle for the remainder of the match with substitute Jonathan Burke (another graduate of the Clonguish academy) and Harry Kiernan scoring points, as well as two Michael Flynn frees.

There is plenty of talent in this Longford team but the U-20 Championship is a ruthless arena.

LONGFORD: Oisin McManus (Killoe Emmet Og); Conor Smith (Clonguish), Ruairi O’Toole (Dromard), Eoghan Williams (Colmcille); Andrew Flynn (Clonguish, 1-0), Gavin Farrelly (Killoe Emmet Og), Ronan Courtney (Mostrim); Aaron Smyth (Colmcille), Ross Shields (Clonguish); Caolan Lynch (Abbeylara, 0-1, f), Matthew Carey (Clonguish, 0-5, 2f), Matthew Flynn (Clonguish); Brian Mulvey (Carrickedmond), Paddy Moran (Killoe Emmet Og, 0-1), Michael Flynn (Clonguish, 1-3, 2f).

Subs:- Oisin Flynn (Ballymore) for A Smyth (25 mins); Jamie Brady Hynes (St Mary’s Granard) for B Mulvey (43 mins); Jonathan Burke (Clonguish, 0-1) for R Shields and Padraig Boyle (Ballymore) for R Courtney (both 45 mins); Harry Kiernan (St Mary’s Granard, 0-1) for Matthew Flynn (59 mins).

LOUTH: Cian O’Donoghue; Ronan Deery, Cormac McKeown, Fionn Tipping; Tadhg McDonnell, Cameron Maher, James Maguire (0-2, 1f); James Rogers, Sean Callaghan; Dara McDonnell (0-1), Sean Reynolds (0-3), Aaron McGlew; Darragh Dorian (0-1), Kieran McArdle (2-4, pen, 1f), Liam Flynn (1-0).

Subs:- Keelan Martin (0-1) for R Deery (23 mins), Pierce Grimes Murphy (0-2) for J Rogers (35 mins). 

Referee: Eamon O’Connor (Offaly).