Longford hurlers have to settle for second best against sharper Leitrim

Leitrim . . . 0-17   Longford . . . 1-11

Showing the greater urgency in what was a must win match for both counties in the bid to remain in contention for a place in the National Hurling League Division 4 final, Leitrim eventually came out on top in the local derby at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday last.
The visitors led by 0-10 to 0-7 at the break and stretched their advantage when James McNabola shot over the bar in the early stages of the second half but Longford then enjoyed their best spell in the game which yielded 1-2 in quick succession.
Substitute Ronan Courtney capitalised on a mistake to snatch a gift goal in the 44th minute to put the home county ahead by the minimum of margins (1-9 to 0-11) but Leitrim gradually regained the upper hand to register a deserved victory thanks to crucial scores from influential midfielders Joe Murray and Philip Burgess to inflict a costly defeat for Longford.
Powered by Murray and Burgess and a particularly outstanding performance from tigerish corner-back Mark McHugh, Leitrim were generally sharper than Longford with their management team of Diarmuid Cahill, Tommy Hawes and Brian Crossan opting to experiment in the build up to the Lory Meagher Cup championship.
Reuben Murray fired over eight of their eleven points (6 frees) while most impressive was commanding full-back Oisin Gately in an otherwise disappointing display.
While Leitrim are in a good position with full points from their two fixtures played so far, the odds are now stacked against Longford in their fading promotion challenge after also losing against Fermanagh.
Direct from the throw-in, Reuben Muray landed a well struck point and this was immediately followed by a score from Evan Tully which suggested the strong possibility of a home win.
But it was Leitrim who had the better of the exchanges for the remainder of the first half with Joe Murray opening their account from a free in the 3rd minute.

The talented Murray landed another brace of points (play and free) with Dhani Keane, Stephen Goldrick, Philip Burgess (2), Sean O’Riordan and James McNabola also getting their names on the scoresheet.

The other Longford scores in the first half came from Reuben Murray (all frees), Adam Quinn and Micheal Mulachy while Leitrim almost scored a goal just before the break when the home keeper Johnny Maher produced a fine save with the alert Oisin Gately clearing the danger when the ball broke loose.
Two frees from Reuben, along with the Courtney goal, left Longford in front but they only managed a couple of more points through Murray (play and free) during the course of the second half.

Leitrim, on the other hand, kept the scoreboard ticking over to clock up another seven points on the changeover with McNabola, Burgess (2), Murray (3) and O’Riordan getting the scores that secured the success.

LONGFORD: Johnny Maher; Ciaran McNally, Oisin Gately, Kealan Cox; Johnny Casey, Eamon Allen, Sean Lancaster; Reuben Murray, (0-8, 6 frees), Adam Quinn (0-1); Micheal Mulcahy (0-1), Evan Tully (0-1), Dylan Hennessy; Sean Tiernan, Dylan Hutchinson, Matthew Hawes.

Subs:- Dan Crossan for D Hennessy (16 mins); Declan Hayes for S Tiernan (28 mins); Ronan Courtney (1-0) for M Hawes (half-time); Diarmuid Caslin for C McNally (45 mins); Niall Hawes for M Mulcahy (56 mins).

LEITRIM: Clement Cunniffe; Mark McHugh, Conor Hackett, Kevin Clerkin; Tommy Taylor, Martin Feeney, Adam Gavigan; Philip Burgess (0-4), Joe Murray (0-6, 4 frees); Senan Keane, Sean O’Riordan (0-2), Stephen Goldrick (0-1); Gavin O’Brien (0-1), James McNabola (0-2), Dhani Keane (0-1).

Subs:- Dean Earley for D Keane (46 mins); Niall Crowe for T Taylor (50 mins); Dylan McDermott for J McNabola (67 mins).

Referee: Matthew Redmond (Kildare).