Pressure on as Longford need a win over Wicklow

Wicklow will be fuming after surrendering a five point lead in the surprise defeat (0-17 to 1-13) against Carlow in Aughrim on Sunday last, a most unexpected result that has thrown Group 3 wide open. 

After showing considerable promise in gaining promotion from Division 4 of the National League under the guidance of their new manager, former Armagh All Star Oisin McConville, Wicklow earned one of the second seeds in the Tailteann Cup but must now beat Longford in order to stay in the second tier championship.  

It is much the same situation for Paddy Christie’s struggling side who lost by three points (2-16 to 1-16) against Limerick at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening last and badly need a victory to spark some life into a poor season so far. 

The absence of powerful midfielder Darren Gallagher is a big blow and with another experienced player Daniel Mimnagh also on the injured list, Longford could be hard pressed to overcome Wicklow even with home advantage.

When the counties clashed in Division 3 of the National League in March last year, Wicklow came out on top by the minimum of margins (0-20 to 2-13) at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park and Longford were missing Michael Quinn on that occasion. 

While Wicklow may be forced to field without key attacker Kevin Quinn, who sustained an injury in the warm up against Carlow last weekend, there are other dangermen in the full-forward-line.

Eoin D’Arcy and Conor Fee clocked up 1-8 between them against Carlow and are clearly a threat while the physically strong midfielder Dean Healy will be difficult to contain. 

Centre-half-back Paddy O’Keane and the big kicking goalkeeper Mark Jackson (who fired over two frees and a ‘45 in the Carlow game) are a couple of the other main men on the Wicklow team who could be hard beaten.

Should Longford score a rare win, it will put them in a good position to make further progress in the Tailteann Cup with the remaining group game against Carlow at a neutral venue on June 3/4.

County Hurlers facing a must win match against Monaghan

Despite letting a vital victory slip in the draw against Cavan at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday last, the Longford senior hurlers are still in contention to reach the Lory Meagher Cup Final.  

But Adrian Moran’s men are going to have to do it the hard way as they face a must win match away against the table toppers Monaghan in the remaining group fixture at the Inniskeen grounds this Saturday, throw-in 1pm.

Monaghan were playing at a higher level in the National League this season, finishing a fine  third in Division 3A, but Longford will be quietly confident of getting the result they need to grace Croke Park for the second year in succession.