Magnificent Longford minors take Dublin down to reach the Leinster semi-final

Longford . . . 3-8  Dublin . . . 1-9

Producing a magnificent performance, the Longford minors beat Dublin for the first time in 22 years to qualify for the semi-finals of the Leinster Football Championship.

Played in Allen Park, Newtownforbes on Wednesday night, this was one of those memorable moments for Longford GAA.

When the Longford minors last defeated Dublin (in a Leinster semi-final played in Cusack Park, Mullingar) the side captained by Enda Williams went on to lift the Leinster title.

For now, Enda McGahern’s U-17 side can look forward to a semi-final appearance, with the matter of the last group game at home against eliminated Laois (Saturday April 13) first on the agenda.

The large crowd (a substantial Dublin support was in attendance) enjoyed a good game of football.

Dublin were physically strong around the middle and the likes of Finn McGinnis and Killian Costello were a threat for the home county. 

The host club Clonguish played a huge role in this win with five starting players.

Goals from Josh Marsh (5th min), substitute Oisin Kane (34 mins) and Karl O’Hara (38 mins) were the decisive scores for highly charged Longford. 

The latter goal gave the midlanders a 3-6 to 0-6 lead. However, Dublin were guilty of shooting six wides for the remainder of the match.  

They were also denied a goal chance when Ben Blessington (who was prominent throughout the game) cleared the ball off the line. 

The Granard man cleared another goalbound shot off the line just before half-time and such fierce determination is written into the DNA of this gutsy side.

But this was to be Longford’s night and who knows what is to come for this talented young side who are the Group 1 winners with a game to spare courtesy of the wins over the also qualified Dublin and Offaly and the subsequent head-to-head advantage. 

Peter Farrell provided a sound platform at midfield and the skilful James Hagan was a constant threat in attack. Cian O’Donnell proved deadly accurate from frees (he kicked five).

Josh Marsh’s goal early in the game came after James Hagan had floated in a brilliant ball that landed around the square.

The industrious Conor Doherty was also involved before the big full-forward finished to the  net. 

Dublin were denied a goal when a shot from Ryan Ennis was saved by Longford keeper James Ross.

Donagh Magee kicked the first of three brilliant ‘45’s for Dublin in the 8th minute.

The lively James Hagan kicked a great point in the 10th minute for Longford, making it 1-2 to 0-3.

Cormac Flynn was an effective playmaker for Longford, winning possession and using it well from No.7.

Longford were denied a goal when James Hagan’s shot was stopped by the Dublin keeper Brian Collins in the 25th minute.

Longford led by 1-3 to 0-5 at the break.

Oisin Kane was introduced at half-time and the Drumlish man paid his way when he bagged Longford’s second goal.

Blessington provided the pass and Kane struck a powerful shot to the net.

Goal No. 3 arrived soon afterwards when good build up play by Hagan and Marsh resulted in Karl O’Hara finishing the ball to the net. 

Nine points up, Longford supporters were daring to dream now.

Dublin were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty in the 47th minute, following a foul on Eoghan O’Donovan.

Hugh O’Neill slotted the ball home and it was now 3-6 to 1-6.

Dublin continued to apply pressure but Longford were too far ahead on the scoreboard. A shot from Charlie Loughran was blocked by Longford full-back Conor McHugh and Dublin also had a goal disallowed in stoppage time for a square ball.

All that was left now was for the delighted Longford supporters to celebrate this famous win and the players received a fitting ovation as they left the field.

LONGFORD: James Ross (Ballymore); Alan Mimnagh (Clonguish), Conor McHugh (Grattans), Darragh Mulligan (Carrickedmond); Conor Doherty (Killoe), Mark Cooney (Clonguish), Cormac Flynn (Clonguish); Sean Fagan (Abbeylara), Peter Farrell (Grattans); Ben Blessington (Granard, 0-1), Cian O’Donnell (Granard, 0-5, 5f), James Shannon (Longford Slashers); Karl O’Hara (Abbeylara, 1-0), Josh Marsh (Clonguish, 1-0), James Hagan (Clonguish, 0-2, 1f).

Subs:- Oisin Kane (Fr Manning Gaels, 1-0) for J Shannon (half-time); Keelan Hudson (Colmcille) for K O’Hara (45 mins); Jack Finnegan (Grattans) for P Farrell (56 mins); Liam Greene (Mostrim) for J Hagan (stoppage time).

DUBLIN: Brian Collins; Shane Devane, Finn Costello, Jack O’Keeffe (0-1); Josh Kennedy, Finn McGinnis, Ryan Ennis; Cian Gavin, Killian Costello; Charlie Loughran, Senan Bolger (0-1), Donagh Magee (0-6, 3 ’45, 2f); Rian Doherty (0-1, f), Fintan Lydon, Hugh O’Neill (1-0, penalty).

Subs:- Danny McGill for R Ennis (blood sub, was reversed); Dara O’Sullivan for C Gavin (half-time); Cillian McCabe for F Lydon (37 mins); Eoghan O’Donovan for S Devane (43 mins); Danny Gill for E O’Donovan (52 mins). 

Referee: Cathal Boland (Westmeath).