Poor Longford stuck in Division 4 as Wexford strike shattering blow

Wexford . . . 2-18    Longford . . . 2-9

Blown apart by a slick and superior Wexford side in the first half, Longford’s promotion hopes were struck by a shattering blow after producing a poor performance in the make or break National Football League Division 4 last round fixture on Sunday last.

Played in perfect conditions at Chadwicks Wexford Park with a small contingent of loyal away supporters in the attendance, Paddy Christie’s charges were outclassed by the rampant home side with most of the damage inflicted in the first half of the crunch clash.

A cracking goal from the industrious Daniel Mimnagh in the 18th minute left Longford on level terms but Wexford then stepped up another couple of gears to establish a commanding 2-10 to 1-3 lead at the break.

Mark Rossiter converted a penalty in the 26th minute and when impressive defender Glen Malone broke clean through to blast the ball to the back of the net soon after the writing was on the wall for a disjointed Longford outfit.

The midlanders were fighting a losing battle and while they were given a glimmer of hope with a good goal from Cathal McCabe with six minutes gone on the changeover, Wexford kept the scoreboard ticking over to run out easy winners.

It could have been even worse for Longford as the opposition squandered a few more goal chances in the second half.
As it turned out, the comprehensive home victory was all to no avail as Wexford missed out on promotion based on the head-to-head result against Leitrim as the counties ended up deadlocked on ten points apiece in the table.

In order to make the best possible preparation for the game, the Longford squad and their management team stayed in Wexford on Saturday night but things did not go according to plan on the pitch and the focus for Paddy Christie and his players quickly switches to the Leinster Championship Round 1 clash against Meath at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday April 7.

On the evidence of what was witnessed in Wexford, the odds are stacked against Longford in the slim hope of crossing the first hurdle in the provincial series with the All-Ireland champions Dublin the daunting opposition in the quarter-final.

Even an extended run in this year’s Tailteann Cup looks beyond the current county seniors but they should at least give it their best shot.

That unfortunately did not materialise against Wexford who were left to rue a last gasp defeat against Leitrim in Carrick earlier in the league campaign in also missing out on a place in Division 3 next season.

That honour belongs to Letirim who have earned the added bonus of a place in the Division 4 league title decider against Laois at Croke Park this Saturday.

Wexford got off to a flying start against Longford to lead by 0-4 to 0-0 with the points coming from Glen Malone, Niall Hughes, the excellent number 5 Kevin O’Grady and towering full-forward Sean Nolan.

Longford had to wait until the 15th minute for their opening score through Daniel Mimnagh and a fisted point followed from Mark Hughes before Dylan Furlong replied for Wexford.

Then came the Mimnagh goal in an excellent move to leave the sides all square but it was all downhill for Longford thereafter as Wexford took over completely to clock up 2-5 with Sean Nolan (3), Conor Kinsella and Niall Hughes accounting for the points.

Kevin O’Grady was fouled for the penalty scored by Mark Rossiter while Eoghan Nolan put Glen Malone in the clear for the killer blow of the second Wexford goal in the 30th minute.

Longford’s solitary reply was a point from a close range free converted by Mark Hughes on the stroke of half-time and there was nothing but pride to play for in the second half with the wide margin of ten points separating the sides at the break.

In giving Longford some sort of credit, they did succeed in closing the gap with a well struck goal from Cathal McCabe with Daniel Mimnagh and Mark Hughes involved in this clinical attack.

Then came another point from the prominent Mimnagh and the midlanders battled it out to the bitter end in adding five more points to their tally through Joseph Hagan, Darren Gallagher (free and ‘45) and Mark Hughes (two frees) while substitute Dylan Farrell had a goal attempt cleared off the line in stoppage time.

Longford keeper Micheal Hughes produced a couple of fine point-blank saves to keep his net intact in the second half and there was just no stopping Wexford who registered eight more points, four of which were kicked by Sean Nolan (3 frees and 1 mark) with Mark Rossiter (two great goal chances), Glen Malone and Kevin O’Grady also on target again.

A special mention to the long serving attacker Ben Brosnan who was brought on at the start of the second half for his record 175th appearance for the Wexford senior football team after making his debut back in 2008.

WEXFORD: Rory Turbitt; Eoin Porter, Gavin Sheehan, Darragh Lyons; Kevin O’Grady (0-2),  Paraic Hughes, Glen Malone (1-2); Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes (0-2); Graeme Cullen, Eoghan Nolan, Dylan Furlong (0-1); Mark Rossiter (1-2, goal from penalty), Sean Nolan (0-8, 5 frees, 2 marks), Conor Kinsella (0-1).

Subs:- Ben Brosnan for E Nolan (half-time); Richie Waters for G Cullen (52 mins); Liam O’Connor for D Lyons (62 mins); Cathal Walsh for K O’Grady (62 mins); Dean O’Toole for S Nolan (65 mins). 

LONGFORD: Micheal Hughes; Patrick Fox, Oisin O’Toole, Liam Hughes; Ruairi Harkin, Ryan Moffett, Dessie Reynolds; Darren Gallagher (0-2, free and ‘45), Paddy Kiernan; Daniel Mimnagh (1-2), Joseph Hagan (0-1, free), Daniel Reynolds; Mark Hughes (0-4, 3 frees), Michael Quinn, Cathal McCabe (1-0).

Subs:- Dylan Farrell for Daniel Reynolds (45 mins); Bryan Masterson for R Harkin (45 mins); Jayson Matthews for P Kiernan (49 mins); Bryn Peters for C McCabe (stoppage time); Daire Duggan for J Hagan (stoppage time). 

Referee: Alan Coyne (Westmeath).