Longford travel to take on Tipperary for tricky task in Clonmel

After showing a lot of resilience to snatch a draw against the title favourites Limerick in the first round clash at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last thanks to a two-pointer free converted by debutant Matthew Carey in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Longford will be bidding  to build on that positive result.

Next up in Division 4 of the National Football League is a tricky task away against Tipperary on Saturday (throw-in 2.30pm) and while the cautious new manager Mike Solan has not mentioned the word promotion in the start to his reign, that possibility will increase should his side manage to record a win in Clonmel.

Longford do not need to be reminded about the costly home defeat against Tipperary at this same stage of the league last season with a couple of points (0-16 to 0-14) separating the teams in the finish and revenge would be very sweet indeed.

The Tipp dangerman is undoubtedly Sean O’Connor in the full-forward-line with the talented attacker firing over a total of 8 points (5 frees) in the corresponding fixture at Pearse Park in 2024 and he also stood out in the fortunate draw against Shane Curran’s Carlow in the opening round of the current campaign. 

Trailing by 8 points at one stage, Tipperary staged a determined comeback to come away from Netwatch Cullen Park with a share of the spoils and the saviour was the accurate O’Connor who clocked up 1-5 (2 frees).

The new Tipperary manager is the former county goalkeeper Philly Ryan who will be demanding a general improvement and Longford could be hard pressed to get a result from the crucial clash in Clonmel with another tough task to come against Wicklow in Aughrim on February 16.

Backboned by such experienced players as Steven O’Brien and Jimmy Feehan, the Munster outfit will be hoping to make the most of home advantage against the midlanders and a close contest is probably in prospect.

NFL Division 4 Round 1 Results

Longford 2-12 Limerick 1-15

Carlow 2-13 Tipperary 1-16

Wexford 2-24 London 2-6

Wicklow v Waterford postponed 

NFL Division 4  Round 2 Fixtures

Saturday 1 February 

 Clonmel: Tipperary v Longford, 2.30pm

 Dungarvan: Waterford v Carlow, 6pm

Sunday 2 February

Rathkeale: Limerick v Wexford, 2pm

Ruislip: London v Wicklow 12.30pm