Longford overcome Carlow in moving a step closer to promotion

Longford . . . 0-14     Carlow . . . 0-8 

Longford are just one step away in their quest to gain promotion from Division 4 of the National Football League after overcoming the challenge of Carlow in the crucial Round 6 clash on Saturday last. 

A sparse attendance in the region of around 250 spectators gathered at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on a miserable wet day to watch the action unfold with the home county gradually getting on top to win by the fairly comfortable margin of six points in the finish.

It was a fourth win in a row for revitalised Longford who head to Wexford Park this Sunday (throw-in 1pm) in the knowledge that another victory will clinch an immediate return to Division 3, unless bottom of the table Waterford register a shock win over Laois in Dungarvan and then it could come down to scores difference.

While the bitter disappointment of relegation last season will be forgotten if the manager Paddy Christie can guide his side across the final hurdle, injuries sustained by Darren Gallagher and Keelin McGann are clearly a cause for considerable concern.
Both Gallagher and second half substitute Keelin McGann (who surprisingly did not start) were forced to retire in the hectic closing stages as Carlow went so close to scoring a couple of goals.

Last ditch brave defending prevented the first opportunity in the final minute of normal time and in another immediate Carlow attack, Jamie Clarke squandered a glorious chance when he blasted a point-blank shot over the bar.

Very anxious moments indeed for nervous Longford who pushed on to make absolutely certain of the vital victory thanks to fisted points from Daniel Mimnagh and Daniel Reynolds in stoppage time.

The home side recovered from a slow start to lead by 0-6 to 0-3 at the break and extended their advantage with a cracking strike from wing back Ruairi Harkin (his second point) along with three scores in quick succession from Darren Gallagher (2 frees and a ‘45) to consolidate a firm grip on the game.

Mark Hughes played a leading role for Longford in firing over a total of five points (1 free) while Carlow sorely missed the absence of their injured chief marksman Darragh Foley.

While Leitrim kept their promotion hopes alive with a last gasp win over previously unbeaten Laois at O’Moore Park, Longford have the edge over them on the head to head regulation should the neighbouring counties end up deadlocked on 10 points apiece in the league table - depending on a Laois draw or win away to Waterford.

Whatever happens in the tense and exciting climax to the Division 4 league campaign on Sunday, it must be said that the resilient Longford players deserve a lot of credit for getting back into contention after losing the first two fixtures against Laois and Tipperary.

Leading by example was the captain and resolute corner-back Patrick Fox who figured most prominently in the defensive gameplan and Longford were extremely quick on the counter-attack in getting the crucial scores.

After producing a quiet first half by his high standards, quality midfielder Darren Gallagher came good in the early stages of the second half with his three points giving the home side some breathing space.

It was generally a competent overall team performance and while more will be required in the tough battle to achieve the result they need against Wexford, things are looking up for a team in transition.

Mark Hughes got the opening score with a couple of minutes gone on the clock but Carlow dominated the remainder of the first quarter, thanks mainly to the driving force of their powerful centre-half-back Conor Doyle.

Points from defenders Mikey Bambrick and Doyle (a cracking long range free), along with a free converted by Liam Gavin, left the highly charged visitors leading by 0-3 to 0-2 after 20 minutes with Mark Hughes getting the other Longford score following a well worked move

The home side then awoke from their slumber to shoot four points in a row, starting with a couple of excellent efforts from Ruairi Harkin and midfielder Paddy Kiernan with Daniel Reynolds and Hughes also on target during this decisive period.

A score apiece were then exchanged between Harkin and Jordan Morrissey at the start of the second half before Gallagher stepped up another gear to fire over three consecutive points and the dynamic Granard man also had a goal attempt blocked down.

Longford were now in a strong position, leading by 0-10 to 0-4, and points were then traded between Aaron Amond and Mark Hughes (free) before Carlow closed the gap with a further brace of scores through Morrissey and Bambrick.

The pressure was eased on Longford when Hughes landed his fifth point but Carlow came storming back and were twice denied a badly needed goal during the space of a minute in a frantic finish and had to settle for one more score.

Longford closed out the game with a point apiece from the two Daniels, Mimnagh and Reynolds, and were relieved to hear the sound of the final whistle in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

LONGFORD: Micheal Hughes (Killoe); Patrick Fox (Mullinalaghta); Oisin O’Toole (Dromard), Liam Hughes (Killoe); Ruairi Harkin (Colmcille, 0-2)  Ryan Moffett (Killoe), Dessie Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s); Darren Gallagher (Granard, 0-3, 2 frees, 1 ’45), Paddy Kiernan (Killoe, 0-1); Mark Hughes (Killoe, 0-5, 1 free), Michael Quinn (Killoe), Joseph Hagan (Dromard); Daniel Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s, 0-2); Daniel Mimnagh (Killoe, 0-1), Cathal McCabe (Colmcille).

Subs:- Keelin McGann (Kenagh) for C McCabe (54 mins); Dylan Farrell (Killashee) for P Kiernan (62 mins); Daire Duggan (Sean Connolly’s) for K McGann (injured, 67 mins); Darragh Finlass (Ballymahon Forgney) for D Gallagher (injured, 68 mins).  

CARLOW: Johnny Furey; Colin Byrne, Mark Furey, Paddy McDonnell; Mikey Bambrick (0-2), Conor Doyle (0-1, free), Dara Curran; Jordan Morrissey (0-2), John Murphy; Colm Hulton, Aaron Amond (0-1), Conor Crowley; Ross Dunphy, Niall Hickey, Liam Gavin (0-1, free). 

Subs:- Jamie Clarke (0-1) for L Gavin (42 mins); John Phiri for J Murphy (60 mins); Shane Clarke for N Hickey (70 mins); Eric Molloy for P McDonnell (70 mins).

Referee: Chris Maguire (Clare).