STORM TRACKER: Follow 'Storm Amy' as it bears down on Ireland amid brutal forecast
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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Colmcille native and Fr Manning Gaels clubman Enda McGahern, the manager of the Longford minor (U-17) football squad who has instilled a lot of belief into the players Photo: Syl Healy
Longford are just one step away from reaching the Leinster Minor football final for the first time since 2015 in the aftermath of their shock success against the red-hot favourites Dublin in the group stage of the U-17 championship and standing in the way are Louth who beat Wicklow 1-11 to 1-7 in the quarter-final on Wednesday evening.
With Kildare and Dublin clashing in the other semi-final, this is a great opportunity for Longford to make it through to the provincial title decider and particularly so with home advantage against Louth at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Tuesday evening next (May 7), throw-in 7pm.
The prospect of an extended run in the provincial series got off to the perfect start with a fine 2-13 to 1-9 win over Offaly in the first round fixture at the Faithful Fields in Kilcormac and then came that magnificent result (3-8 to 1-9) against Dublin at Allen Park.
While there was nothing at stake in the remaining round-robin game against already eliminated Laois at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park with Longford the confirmed group winners, the manager Enda McGahern watched his side produce a very flat second half display in the eventual 0-15 to 1-6 defeat with James Hagan (Clonguish) scoring a consolation goal in stoppage time.
That turned out to be Longford’s solitary score on the changeover but it should be a different story in the match that really matters in the eagerly awaited Leinster semi-final at home against Louth with Cillian McQuillan the danger man for the visitors after scoring 1-3 in the hard earned win over Wicklow.
Longford are powered by the physically strong Peter Farrell (Grattans) at midfield with the captain Mark Cooney (Clonguish), Conor McHugh (Grattans) and Conor Doherty (Killoe) the anchor men in a very resilient defence.
Cian O’Donnell (Granard) and Hagan are capable of making a big impact in the attack and the Longford bravehearts will be really fired up in the battle for a place in the Leinster Minor ‘A’ final at a neutral venue on Monday May 20.
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