Longford minors suffer first defeat in the build up to the Leinster semi-final

Laois . . . 0-15   Longford . . . 1-6 

Showing just a couple of changes from the team that started in the shock win over Dublin in the previous round, Longford suffered their first defeat in the Leinster Minor Football Championship as Laois dominated the second half at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday last. 

Already through to the semi-final on May 7 after also accounting for Offaly in the group stage, there was nothing at stake for Enda McGahern’s side but the disappointing manner in which they faded right out of contention on the changeover  is clearly a cause of some concern.  

The sides were deadlocked at 0-6 apiece at the break with wing back Conor Doherty landing a brace of points for Longford who were left to rue the failure to convert a penalty in the early stages of the second half. 

James Hagan was fouled by the Laois keeper Liam Conroy in the square but he made amends when producing a fine save to stop the spot kick taken by Keelan Hudson.

Although eliminated to the new Tier 3 competition after losing to Dublin and Offaly, there was a much greater urgency shown by Laois on the resumption in adding another nine points to their emphatic tally in a wave of slick attacks. 

Longford were on the brink of failing to register a solitary score in the second half but they managed to snatch a last gasp  consolation goal in the third minute of stoppage time with James Hagan blasting the ball to the net following a well-worked move.   

LONGFORD: James Ross (Ballymore); Alan Mimnagh (Clonguish), Conor McHugh (Grattans), Joe Rowley (Killoe); Conor Doherty (Killoe, 0-2), Mark Cooney (Clonguish), Ben Blessington (Granard); Sean Fagan (Abbeylara, 0-1), Peter Farrell (Grattans); Cormac Flynn (Clonguish), Cian O’Donnell (Granard, 0-1, free), James Shannon (Longford Slashers); Keelan Hudson (Colmcille, 0-1), Josh Marsh (Clonguish, 0-1), James Hagan (Clonguish, 1-0, penalty).

Subs:- Darragh Mulligan (Carrickedmond) for A Mimnagh (half-time); Karl O’Hara (Abbeylara) for K Hudson (38 mins); Liam Greene (Mostrim) for J Shannon (49 mins); Jack Finnegan (Grattans) for C Flynn (57 mins); Michael Glennon (Clonguish) for J Marsh (59 mins).

LAOIS: Liam Conroy; Jack Murphy, Ben O’Connor, Tom Corcoran; Hugh Connolly, David Whelan, Fionn O’Sullivan; Robbie Murphy (0-1), Ruairi Bourke (0-2); Calum McElroy (0-2), Ultan Dunne (0-3, 2 frees), Darren Brennan (0-2); Conor O’Callaghan (0-1), Ennae Byrne (0-4), Jack O’Dea.

Subs:- Jack Julian for J O’Dea (36 mins); Josh Finn for C O’Callaghan (57 mins); John Cooney for C McElroy (59 mins); Niall Hickey for T Corcoran (59 mins); Conor Moran for H Connolly (stoppage time). 

Referee: Ciaran Flynn (Meath).