Experimental mode as Longford score narrow win over Westmeath

Longford . . . 0-9   Westmeath . . . 0-7

In a sluggish start to the 2024 campaign, both counties were in experimental mode as Longford scored a narrow win over Westmeath in a rather tame O’Byrne Cup quarter-final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday last. 

Watched by a small attendance in the region of 400, Longford featured a few regulars while Westmeath fielded what was basically their U-20 team in what was nothing more than a challenge game with a competitive edge.

None of the players who lined-out for Westmeath in the draw against Tyrone in Round 3 of the All-Ireland SFC group stage last year were in action against Longford who came out on top with a couple of points to spare in the finish.

The management team of Paddy Christie, Dessie Sloyan and the new selector, Lanesboro native Cosmas Gilmore, will now prepare the players for the O’Byrne Cup semi-final away to Meath in Ashbourne this Friday night, throw-in 7.30pm.  

While winning against the 'rookie' Westmeath side is a bit of a boost for all concerned in the Longford camp, the O’Byrne Cup is just a warm up exercise for the National League with promotion from Division 4 very much the main priority.

With Darren Gallagher generally in control at centrefield throughout this uneventful match, the home county led by 0-5 to 0-4 at the break with the prominent Granard player converting a couple of frees. 

Dylan Farrell, Patrick Fox and Daniel Mimnagh were also on target for Longford while the Westmeath scores in the first half came from Eoghan McCabe, Kevin O’Sullivan (2) and Shane Corcoran.

Christie’s charges held the upper hand for most of the second half in adding another four points to their tally - a brace from Gallagher (free and’45) with Mimnagh (a cracking strike) and Daniel Reynolds completing the scoring for the home side. 

Shane Allen, McCabe (free) and Danny McCartan accounted for the three Westmeath points in the second half of this low key local derby.  

Starting without defenders Liam Hughes (Killoe) and Iarla O’Sullivan (Rathcline) who were listed in the programme, a number of newcomers featured against Westmeath and Longford almost conceded a goal in the early stages of the game.

The clean through Eoghan McCabe was unable to make firm contact with a defence splitting pass from Ciaran Nolan while a vital interception by Jordan Shiels prevented another green flag opportunity for the visitors.

Cathal McCabe had a clear-cut goal chance for Longford in the 19th minute but his shot was well saved by the opposing keeper Jack Connaughton. The breaking ball broke into the path of Dylan Farrell who shot over the bar to leave the sides all square, 0-2 to 0-2.

Darren Gallagher (free) registered the opening score of the game in the 4th minute and following the point from Farrell, a speculative effort from Patrick Fox saw the ball bounce over the bar.

Further points followed from Gallagher (free) and Daniel Mimnagh but Westmeath produced a strong finish to the first half with a point apiece from Kevin O’Sullivan and Shane Corcoran.

Scores were exchanged between Gallagher (free) and Westmeath centre-half-back Shane Allen in the early stages of the second half before replied with three more points through Mimnagh, Gallagher (‘45) and Daniel Reynolds, the latter getting his name on the scoresheet in the 53rd minute as his fisted attempt was deflected over the bar.

Leading by 0-9 to 0-5, Longford failed to register another score the remainder of the match in holding out for a hard earned win as Westmeath battled back to close the gap with a brace of points in quick succession from McCabe (free) and Danny McCartan. 

LONGFORD: Micheal Hughes (Killoe); Barry O'Farrell (Carrickedmond), Oisin O'Toole (Dromard), Darragh Finlass (Ballymahon); Jordan Shiels (Granard), Patrick Fox (Mullinalaghta, 0-1), Ruairi Harkin (Colmcille); Darren Gallagher (Granard, 0-4, 3 frees, 1 ‘45’), Ryan Moffett (Killoe); Dylan Farrell (Killashee, 0-1), Daniel Mimnagh (Killoe, 0-2), Daniel Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s, 0-1); Jayson Matthews (Mullinalaghta), Bryn Peters (Rathcline), Cathal McCabe (Colmcille).

Subs:- Dessie Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s) for J Shiels (40 mins); Daire Duggan (Sean Connolly’s) for P Fox (injured, 58 mins); Diarmuid Farrell (Ardagh Moydow) for D Finlass (injured, 59 mins); Dylan Lynch (Sean Connolly’s) for D Gallagher (65 mins); Ronan Kavanagh (Killashee) for Dessie Reynolds (injured, 70 mins).

WESTMEATH: Jack Connaughton; Adam Keane, Charlie Drumm, Ciaran Nolan; Darragh Lowry, Shane Allen (0-1), Tadhg Baker; Eoghan McCabe (0-2, 1 free), Dylan Murtagh; Brian Cooney, Danny McCartan (0-1), Kevin O’Sullivan (0-2, 1 mark); Adam Neary, Shane Corcoran (0-1), Liam Daly.

Subs:- Jason Macken for B Cooney (half-time); Shane Hanley for A Neary (40 mins); Jack Duncan for S Corcoran (52 mins); Darragh Hall for D Lowry (58 mins); Jack Mulvihill for T Baker (65 mins); Padraig Carton for S Hanley (70 mins). 

Referee: Kevin Williamson (Offaly).