Longford hold out for narrow win over Offaly and now meet Wexford in the Leinster U-20 'B' championship

Longford . . . 0-10    Offaly . . . 0-9

While Longford held out for a narrow win over Offaly with just a single point separating the sides in the end, this positive result was not enough to keep alive their slim chance of reaching the knockout stage in the Leinster U-20 'A' Football Championship. 

A decent attendance gathered at Allen Park in Newtownforbes on Tuesday night to watch the action unfold and Kieran Carey’s charges were left to rue the defeats against the eventual qualifiers Kildare and Louth in the previous two games in the group stage.

At least there is the consolation of competing in the Leinster section of the new Tier 2 U-20 championship which also includes an All-Ireland Series. 

Longford are capable of making a big impact in the ‘B’ competition, starting with a semi-final clash at home to Wexford at Allen Park on Tuesday 23 April with a 7.30pm throw-in.       

The star of the show against Offaly was the impressive centre-half-forward Matthew Carey who accounted for a total of seven points which included 3 frees and a ‘45. 

The classy Carey was a constant threat in attack for the home county who were denied a couple of goals in the opening minutes.

Outstanding Offaly keeper Conor Melia produced point-blank saves to keep out close range strikes from Brian Mulvey and Caolan Lynch.

The roving Melia, who went on to fire over three points during the course of this close encounter, came to the rescue again when stopping a shot from Paddy Moran in the 11th minute.

Longford still managed to lead by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break with Jamie Brady Hynes landing a brace of well-taken scores.  

Full-forward Lynch had another goal chance blocked in the early stages of the second half and while Longford were restricted to just three more points on the changeover through Carey (2) and Moran it was good enough to get them over the line in a tense and exciting finish against Offaly. 

The counties could meet again in the Leinster U-20 ‘B’ final with Carlow and Westmeath the other teams in the Tier 2 competition.   

LONGFORD: Oisin McManus (Killoe Emmet Og); Conor Smith (Clonguish), Ruairi O’Toole (Dromard), Eoghan Williams (Colmcille); Gavin Farrelly (Killoe), Andrew Flynn (Clonguish), Matthew Flynn (Clonguish); Jonathan Burke (Clonguish), Oisin Flynn (Ballymore); Brian Mulvey (Carrickedmond), Matthew Carey (Clonguish, 0-7, 3 frees,  1 ‘45), Paddy Moran (Killoe Emmet Og, 0-1); Michael Flynn (Clonguish), Caolan Lynch (Abbeylara), Jamie Brady Hynes (St Mary’s Granard, 0-2, 1 mark).

Subs:- Sean Smith (Colmcille) for B Mulvey (50 mins); Jack Belton (Mostrim) for O Flynn (56 mins); Harry Kiernan (St Mary’s Granard) for J Brady Hynes (57 mins).  

OFFALY: Conor Melia (0-3, 1 free); Diarmaid O’Neill, Christian McKeon, Dylan Kilmurrey; Dylan Byrne, Geordi O’Meara, Luke Bourke; Cillian Bourke (0-1), Marcas Dalton; Ross Kellaghan, Niall Furlong, Steven Doran (0-1); Sean Afolabi Joseph, Robbie Gallagher (0-2, 1f), Luke Kelly.

Subs:- Ben Kennedy (0-1) for L Kelly (30 mins); Cillian Foran (0-1, free) for R Kellaghan (52 mins); Eoin Smith for R Gallagher (55 mins); Cian O'Reilly for S Doran (59 mins).

Referee: Ultan McElroy (Louth).