Longford manager Mike Solan very happy with the win over competitive Waterford

After Longford’s narrow two-point victory over Waterford in Division 4 of the National Football League at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last, the Longford manager Mike Solan gave his views on the crucial victory. 

“It took a lot of energy and perseverance for us to get over the line. There is no such thing as a foregone conclusion in the National League, every game is competitive and every game is a battle and we definitely were in a battle today, but I am very happy that we got the win.”

The Longford manager made four changes to the team that started in the away defeat to Wicklow, with Micheal Hughes, Oisin O’Toole, Daniel Reynolds and Jack Macken all coming into the starting fifteen, and Solan was impressed with their contributions.

“The lads did really well, they have been working really hard in training and they got their chance today. We are not going to have a fixed team every match, there will be changes made each time. 

“We are trying to reward lads who are working hard and give lads a chance on the team and it was their turn today. I’m sure that with injuries and form to consider, there will be others who will get their opportunity too, that is the nature of being part of a team.’

After a great start, Longford conceded a goal but they recovered well to take control of the game with Aaron Farrell’s two goals in quick succession giving them a good cushion and the Longford boss was delighted with how the team recovered from that goal concession.

“Micheal recovered really well and dealt with some really tricky balls after that as well, it’s his first start in the league this year. His kicking was really good and he played a good game. 

Aaron’s two goals helped us to build up a good lead, but the new rules with the two-point scores have made a real difference to the game, and Waterford took advantage of the two pointers and with just three kicks, they were back in contention. 

“We have seen that in all of our games. We were six points up against Limerick, we were six points up against Tipperary, we have scored some two-pointers, so it’s a trend that you have seen right across the National League and not just in our games. 

“We are encouraging our lads to still go for goal chances when they come and we had three goal chances in the first half with Aaron raising two green flags and Iarla getting a point from the other goal opportunity, so it was a good return from those three chances.”

Strangely both teams played better against the strong wind than they did when they had the wind advantage, but Solan was not too surprised by that statistic.

“It seemed that way when you look at the balance of scores but sometimes the wind can give you a false sense of security in terms of trying to kick two’s from distance, but teams are well set-up in the main now and you don’t get anything soft.

 “We did not get carried away that we would have it easier or soft playing with the wind in the second half and that’s how it turned out.

 “Looking ahead to the London game this weekend in Ruislip that will be a very difficult challenge especially after their win away to Tipperary in Semple Stadium. We will look at the video of today’s game and see where we can improve and we will take a look at London’s games as well.

“I expect a tight and close contest which has been the case in most Division 4 games which have been very competitive, and we will expect the same again next Sunday,” stated Solan.