Longford lose out to Limerick in the Tailteann Cup

Limerick . . . 2-16   Longford . . . 1-16

The concession of a sloppy goal in the early stages of the game left Longford fighting an uphill battle but it might have been a different story had the visitors not missed a massive goal chance midway through the first half.

Limerick led by 1-8 to 0-7 at the break and consolidated their tight grip on the match when they converted a penalty for a crucial second goal with ten minutes gone in the second half. 

Longford tried hard to close the gap but never really looked like salvaging the situation despite a stoppage time goal from substitute Daniel Reynolds which left the slender margin of two points separating the sides before Limerick landed the final score. 

The top scorer for Longford was Dylan Farrell who fired over the impressive total of seven points (five frees). 

Paddy Christie’s side are back in action at home to Wicklow on Saturday next (throw-in 5pm) and badly need a win against Oisin McConville’s charges in the bid to qualify for the knockout stages of the Tailteann Cup. 

It was Longford who got the opening score of the contest with midfielder Ryan Moffett bisecting the posts but Limerick soon replied with a goal.

Peter Nash's initial shot was blocked and Colm McSweeney was first to the rebound. McSweeney punched the ball across to the unmarked Cathal Downes and he curled a beauty into the top corner of the net. 

Longford responded with Dylan Farrell and Oran Kenny points to level the game but the home side were soon back on top. A James Naughton free and a Nash effort from play seeing them to a 1-2 to 0-3 lead with 17 minutes played.

Paddy Christie's side then missed a glorious goal chance when Aaron Farrell found himself in acres of space inside the Limerick full back line but placed his shot wide of Donal O'Sullivan's right post.

McSweeney then broke through the Longford defence with a powerful run and fisted over the bar from an acute angle to put Limerick three to the good.

Dylan Farrell and Naughton then traded frees before a well-taken point from play by Downes saw Limerick four ahead in the lead up to half-time.

Longford then opened up the Limerick defence for a second time when Keelin McGann broke through but he was denied by an onrushing Limerick keeper O'Sullivan with Joseph Hagan firing the rebound over the bar.

Dylan Farrell's third point in the first half then brought Limerick's advantage back to two but another excellent Nash kick saw the home side maintain their deserved three-point lead.

Farrell  then landed another point with a sweet strike off his left boot but  a Paul Maher score from play and a Naughton free saw Limerick 1-8 to 0-7 ahead at the break.

Longford made a solid start to the second half with two Oran Kenny points and one from Liam Connerton but Limerick were soon back in control.

Nash's shot from distance was saved on the line by Longford keeper Paddy Collum but McSweeney forced the ball off him. Michael Quinn came in and was penalised for laying on the ball. 

Donovan stepped up to take the penalty and sent Collum the wrong way to put Limerick 2-9 to 0-10 ahead with 45 minutes gone on the clock. 

Dylan Farrell got the next two scores for Longford but a fourth free from Naughton saw Limerick into a five-point lead with 20 minutes to play.

The excellence of Farrell, especially from placed balls, kept Longford in the contest and his seventh score of the game had Limerick's lead back to three points heading into the final 10 minutes.

Limerick stretched their advantage out to six going into added time but a late Daniel Reynolds goal kept Longford in with a sniff before a Tommy Griffin point clinched the win for the home side. 

SCORERS - LIMERICK: James Naughton 0-6 (5 frees), Brian Donovan 1-2 (1-0 penalty), Cathal Downes 1-1, Peter Nash 0-2, Colm McSweeney, Paul Maher, Cian Sheehan (1 mark), Hugh Bourke and Tommy Griffin 0-1 each.

SCORERS - LONGFORD: Dylan Farrell 0-7 (5 frees), Daniel Reynolds 1-0, Oran Kenny 0-3 (1 free), Joseph Hagan and Liam Connerton 0-2 each, Ryan Moffett and Keelin McGann 0-1 each.

LIMERICK: Donal O'Sullivan; Mike Donovan, Seán O'Dea, Brian Fanning; Barry Coleman, Jim Liston, Paul Maher; Cillian Fahy, Cathal Downes; Cian Sheehan, Brian Donovan, Adrian Enright; James Naughton, Peter Nash, Colm McSweeney. 

Subs:- Hugh Bourke for Liston (46 mins), Tony McCarthy for Donovan (56 mins), Darragh Murray for Enright (62 mins), Tommy Griffin for Downes (67 mins), Davy Lyons for Nash (69 mins). 

LONGFORD: Paddy Collum; Patrick Fox, Andrew Farrell, Bryan Masterson; Iarla O'Sullivan, Michael Quinn, Peter Lynn; Ryan Moffett, Dessie Reynolds; Dylan Farrell, Joseph Hagan, Aaron Farrell; Liam Connerton, Keelin McGann, Oran Kenny.

Subs:- Jack Macken for Aaron Farrell (52 mins), Daniel Reynolds for L Connerton (injured, 62 mins), Peter Foy for P Lynn (65 mins). 

REFEREE: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary).