Another win puts Longford on course to reach league final
Declan Tanner and Gareth Ghee led the charges as Longford made it two wins out of two against South Down in their re-fixed National Hurling League Division 4 game at Pearse Park on Saturday last.
The two men were in splendid form, causing the South Down defence numerous problems and getting scores at vital times. The team as a whole played some good hurling throughout the game and deserved the win.
With three games remaining in the league; away to Monaghan (on Sunday next) and Fermanagh, with a home tie against Leitrim sandwiched in between them, Tom Lynam's side are looking good to reach the Division 4 Final.
The scoreline may suggest a closely fought contest but once Longford got into their stride there was only going to be one winner. During the second half, in particular, they produced some fine hurling and hit a purple patch entering the final 10 minutes; scoring 1-4 without reply.
South Down started the game brightly and straight from the throw-in landed the first point of the game through Aidan Browne. Minutes later Liam Morgan increased their lead to two with a well taken free.
Longford opened their account in the 5th minute with a superbly taken point from Gareth Ghee but the Down men replied with two quick scores from centre half-back John Browne.
Their lead didn't last long though and two minutes later Declan Tanner's fine goal brought Longford level.
Aidan Browne had a goal chance for South Down in the 16th minute but he blasted his effort wide. But minutes later a point from John Browne edged his side in front, but that was to be the last time that they would take the lead.
Longford hit four answered points to turn the game in their favour and give them a four point advantage as half-time approached.
A great South Down score from Paul Sheehan put a goal between the sides before Tanner restored Longford's four point advantage. But credit to South Down they never gave up and fired over two points just before the break to cut Longford's lead to two; 1-7 to 0-8.
The deficit was just one point within a minute of the restart when Morgan pointed for South Down. One minute later the Down side had a chance to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty but Longford keeper Paddy Cullen pulled off an excellent save to deny John Browne.
But one minute later they hit level with a pointed free from Paul Sheehan. Six minutes later Longford regained their lead with a '65 from Eoin Donnellan but the South Down men replied with a point, this time a free from Paul O'Neill. The sides were level once again.
The pendulum swung in Longford's favour in the 51st minute when Donnellan fired over a point but another O'Neill free brought the game all square for the third time in the second half.
Although the game was in the balance Longford knew they could win it and introduced Joe O'Brien for John Minnock. O’Brien made an immediate impact firing over two points in quick succession.
O’Brien’s second point was followed by a point from Tanner and two from Ghee as Longford finally took control of the game and slowly began to pull away from their opponents. And with eight minutes left to play their lead was now four points.
They extended their advantage further in the 65th minute when Tanner fired home his second goal of the game and it seemed all over for the South Down men.
After going 14 minutes without a score and conceding 1-4 without reply Sheehan added another point to the South Down tally in the closing minutes. With time running out Niall Conway flicked the ball past Longford keeper Cullen for a goal to leave three points between the sides in the finish.
LONGFORD: Paddy Cullen; Brendan Stakem, Thomas Stakem, Fergal Daly; Rory Donnellan, Robert Ryland, Ciaran Finnucane; Eoin Donnellan (0-3, 1 '65), John Lynam; Gareth Ghee (0-6, 2f), Sean Browne, John Newman (0-1); John Minnock, Declan Tanner (2-2, 1f), Mark Cassidy.
Sub:- Joe O’Brien (0-2) for J Minnock (51 mins).
SOUTH DOWN: Damien Kearns; Liam Deegan, Brian McAleena, Paul McCusker; Martin Armstrong, John Browne (0-4, 1 ’65, 2f), James McGrath; Liam Morgan (0-3, 1f), John Murphy; Eoghan Donnelly, Paul O’Neill (0-3, 3f), Paddy Beirne; Paul Sheehan (0-3, 2f), Niall Conway (1-0), Aidan Browne.
Sub used:- Paddy Byrne.
Referee: Tommy Ryan (Tipperary).
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
