Longford hurlers lose to Fermanagh but still in contention for the league title

Fermanagh . . . 0-11  Longford . . . 0-7 

The Longford hurlers bid to qualify automatically for the Allianz National Hurling League Division 3B Final was ended on Saturday last in Brewster Park in Enniskillen as they suffered a four-point defeat to the table toppers who instead have earned a direct route into the title decider. 

Longford will now have to beat Warwickshire this Saturday (throw-in 3.30pm) at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park to reach the league final against the Ernesiders. 

Longford’s chances of winning suffered several setbacks including the withdrawal of midfielder David Buckley before throw-in and the first half dismissal of Keelan Cox.

The treacherous underfoot conditions made hurling difficult and contributed to a low scoring match. Paddy Lynam opened the scoring for the visitors with a first minute free before Brian Teehan and man-of-the-match Luca McCusker put Fermanagh ahead with ten minutes gone on the clock.

Fermanagh came close to raising a green flag in the 21st minute when McCusker brilliantly evaded two Longford defenders only for his shot from a tight angle to be well saved by Longford keeper Pat Burke.

After sixteen scoreless minutes, two McCusker frees extended the home side’s advantage to three points by the 28th minute.

Longford looked to be in major trouble when Cox was shown a straight red card for a robust challenge on Fermanagh captain Ryan Bogue just before the half-hour mark but it was Adrian Moran’s charges who responded well to their one-man disadvantage as they fought back in impressive style.

A Reuben Murray free completed the first half scoring as the visitors trailed by two points at the break, 0-4 to 0-2.

Two more frees from Murray had 14-man Longford back level by the 43rd minute but Longford keeper Pat Burke came to his side’s rescue seconds later when he saved from Danann McKeogh after the Fermanagh forward had soloed in on goal. 

Free taking duties switched over to Tom Keenan and his ball into the Longford danger area was slotted over by midfielder Brian Teehan on 48 minutes to restore Fermanagh’s advantage.

Another Reuben Murray free levelled  the contest a minute later, only for John Duffy to respond almost immediately for Fermanagh as they once again edged in front by 0-6 to 0-5 just past the 50th minute mark.

Longford rallied brilliantly to fire over the next two scores to take the lead after 53  minutes as Murray with another free and a fine score from play from Cathal Mullane put Longford ahead by 0-7 to 0-6.

Unfortunately, the midlanders ran out of steam and Fermanagh finished the stronger to score five unanswered points to seal their victory.

McCusker and Teague converted frees, while Teahan, Thomas Duane and McCusker again, this time from play, completed a one hundred percent league record for Joe Baldwin’s team in their quest to win the league title. 

Longford’s best players on the day were all defenders as Evan Tully, Karl Murray and Diarmaid Caslin all impressed.

Longford face Warwickshire in the semi-final next Saturday and although the midlanders would be deemed favourites because they won their encounter with ease by nine points when the two teams met at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park last month.

But their growing injury list, Keelan Cox’s suspension and the absence of talismanic midfielder Paddy Lynam for the next few weeks makes this encounter a very difficult challenge.

Warwickshire will be relying on star player Jack Grealish who scored five points in their crucial win over Lancashire at the weekend, Luke Hands who scored two goals and the very impressive David Devine who registered an impressive 1-9 against Lancashire. 

FERMANAGH: Chris McKernan; Odhran Johnston, Rory Porteous, Ciaran Duffy; Daniel Teague (0-2),  Ryan Bogue, Ben Corrigan; Caolan Duffy, Brian Teehan (0-2); John Duffy (0-1), Luca McCusker (0-4, 3f), Thomas Duane (0-1); Tom Keenan, Jimmy Tormey, Danann McKeogh (0-1).

Subs:- Ronan McGurn for O Johnston (half-time); Sean Corrigan for J Tormey (49 mins).

LONGFORD: Pat Burke; Diarmaid Caslin, Eamon Allen, Karl Murray; Sean Lancaster, Johnny Casey, Evan Tully; Reuben Murray (0-5, 5f), Paddy Lynam (0-1,f); Dan Crossan, Maitiu O’Donohoe, Keelan Cox; Micheál Mulcahy, Stephen Gregg, Cathal Mullane (0-1).

Subs:- Darragh Caslin for s Gregg (43 mins); Rory Maher for C Mullane (60 mins).

Referee: James Clarke (Cavan).