Leitrim defeat leaves Longford in deep trouble in the Tailteann Cup

Leitrim . . . 2-12     Longford . . . 0-17

Longford’s hopes of making further progress in the Tailteann Cup are hanging by a thread in the aftermath of the last gasp defeat against Leitrim in the Group 1 Round 2 clash at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last. 

Four points behind at one stage of the second half after conceding a couple of crucial goals, the home county produced a spirited comeback and appeared to have snatched a draw when substitute Mark Hughes (who surprisingly did not start) landed the equalising point in the third minute of stoppage time.

Leitrim launched an immediate counter attack in the quest for a last gasp winning score and it materialised when their chief marksman Barry McNulty converted a pressure free to clinch second spot in the table and home advantage in the knockout stage of the Tier 2 Senior Championship.

There was one last chance for Longford (minus the injured Michael Quinn) to avoid another damaging defeat but a shot from Keelin McGann drifted wide, the referee playing the advantage rule when a free was going to be awarded to the home side.

Paddy Christie’s strugglers are now facing a must win match against Waterford by a wide margin in the remaining group fixture at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise on Saturday June 1 (throw-in 2pm) to keep alive their slim chance of making it through to the preliminary quarter-finals.

Even the tremendous contribution from dashing wing back Dessie Reynolds, who fired over five points from play, failed to rescue Longford in the latest chapter of this sad story.

Thus Leitrim gained sweet revenge for the disappointment of losing the Division 4 league encounter between the neighbouring rivals at the same venue back at the beginning of March, much to the delight of their enthusiastic supporters who yet again greatly outnumbered the frustrated Longford followers in the 1,000 plus attendance who basked in the glorious sunshine on a very warm day.

Both sides were guilty of some poor finishing during the course of this exciting tight contest and particularly so in the second half with the visitors shooting a total of 9 wides as compared to 4 for the midlanders who can make no excuses for the latest setback in a miserable season so far.

Reeling from the horrendous 20 points hammering away to Kildare in the opening round, Longford made a bright start against Leitrim and were leading by 0-4 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter with the points coming from Dessie Reynolds (a cracking strike), Jayson Matthews, Aaron Farrell and Daniel Reynolds.

The Leitrim scores were registered by goalkeeper Nevin O’Donnell (‘45), Darragh Rooney and Barry McNulty and they took the lead when a foul on the dangerman McNulty resulted in a goal from a penalty converted in some style by Ryan O’Rourke in the 24th minute.

Andy Moran’s side ended up leading by the minimum of margins (1-6 to 0-8) at the break with Ryan O’Rourke, O’Donnell (‘45) and Riordan O’Rourke accounting for the other points.

Longford managed to remain very much in contention in adding another four scores to their tally through Darren Gallagher (free), attacking defender Bryan Masterson who surged forward to fire over a terrific effort along with further points from the brothers Dessie and Daniel Reynolds.

While the sides were all square with a couple of minutes gone on the changeover after Cathal McCabe was on target from a mark, Barry McNulty then raced through to fist the ball over the bar before he scored the decisive second goal for Leitrim.

Longford were now 2-7 to 0-9 adrift with 40 minutes gone on the clock but they deserve considerable credit for battling their way back into the game.

Leitrim were outscored by 0-8 to 0-5 during the remainder of the match and were hanging on in the end as the revitalised home side went all out in a very determined bid for a badly needed victory.

Three of the points were landed by Darren Gallagher, including a great effort from play, and there were three more scores from the impressive Dessie Reynolds who was doing his best to salvage the situation.

Aaron Farrell and Mark Hughes were also on target while the other five Leitrim scores were landed by Riordan O’Rourke, Jack Foley, Barry McNulty (two frees) and Tom Prior as the Connacht county scrambled their way across the line to take the honours in this entertaining local derby.

LONGFORD: Paddy Collum (Fr Manning Gaels); Bryan Masterson (Abbeylara, 0-1), Oisin O’Toole (Dromard), Patrick Fox (Mullinalaghta); Joseph Hagan (Dromard), Ryan Moffett (Killoe), Dessie Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s, 0-5); Paddy Kiernan (Killoe), Darren Gallagher (Granard, 0-4, 3 frees); Daniel Mimnagh (Killoe), Aaron Farrell (Dromard, 0-2), Daniel Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s, 0-2); Cathal McCabe (Colmcille, 0-1, mark), Dylan Farrell (Killashee), Jayson Matthews (Mullinalaghta, 0-1). 

Subs:- Enda Macken (Colmcille) for D Farrell (31 mins); Mark Hughes (Killoe, 0-1) for D Mimnagh (43 mins); Keelin McGann (Kenagh) for P Kiernan (49 mins); Jack Macken (Colmcille) for J Matthews (56 mins); Ciaran Scanlon (Abbeylara) for Daniel Reynolds (67 mins). 

LEITRIM: Nevin O’Donnell (0-2, ‘45s); Aidan Flynn, Mark Diffley, Cathal McHugh; Kieran Clancy, Radek Oberwan, Jack Foley (0-1); Jack Gilheany, Pearce Dolan; Barry McNulty (1-4, 2 frees), Ryan O’Rourke (1-1, goal from penalty), Donal Wrynn; Riordan O’Rourke (0-2), Darragh Rooney (0-1), Tom Prior (0-1).

Subs:- Jack Flynn for R Oberwan (half-time); Jamie McGreal for K Clancy (49 mins); Evan Sweeney for Riordan O’Rourke (57 mins); Conor Reynolds for C McHugh (61 mins); Ben Guckian for P Dolan (65 mins).

Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo).