Sean Connolly's clubman Daire Duggan (left) pictured in action for Longford against Tipperary in the recent NFL Division 4 clash in Clonmel Photo: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Badly hit by the hurt of letting a comfortable lead slip in the draw against Limerick and the subsequent sickening loss against Tipperary, the under pressure Longford senior footballers are facing a must win game against Wicklow in order to keep their promotion hopes alive in Division 4 of the National League.
A hard battle awaits for Mike Solan’s side in Aughrim on Sunday (throw-in 2pm) and while Wicklow eventually got the better of bottom of the table Waterford at the same venue in the Round 1 refixture last weekend by a four point margin, the second half developed into a real struggle.
On the road to redemption after suffering the shock of a surprise defeat against London in the opening round clash in Ruislip, Wicklow produced a strong first half performance against Waterford to build up what appeared to be a commanding 2-10 to 0-4 advantage at the break.
The wide gap was gradually reduced and the concession of 1-19 is clearly a serious cause for concern for Oisin McConville’s charges. It is much the same situation for Longford who leaked three costly goals in the agonising single point setback against Tipperary in Clonmel.
Powered by the vastly experienced Dean Healy at midfield with the deadly Kevin Quinn the dangerman in the attack, Wicklow are always so difficult to beat in Aughrim and the counties will meet again in the opening round of the 2025 Leinster Championship at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday 6 April.
NFL Division 4
Round 1 Refixture Result
Wicklow 3-17 Waterford 1-19
NFL Division 4 Round 3 Fixtures
Saturday 15 February
Dungarvan: Waterford v Tipperary, 6.30pm
Wexford Park: Wexford v Carlow, 7pm
Sunday 16 February
Ruislip: London v Limerick, 12.30pm
Aughrim: Wicklow v Longford, 2pm
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