Longford minors overcome Carlow and now meet Sligo in the 'C' semi-final

Longford . . . 3-18  Carlow . . . 2-19 

(after extra- time)

Longford did it the hard way in overcoming Carlow in sun-drenched Glennon Pearse Park on Saturday to advance to the semi-final of the All-Ireland Tier 3 Minor (U-17 football championship. 

Longford thought they had won it in normal time but a loss of vital possession in the 63rd minute allowed Carlow’s impressive Alex Doyle in for a late equalising goal which brought the tie to extra-time.

Carlow started very brightly and were 0-6 to 0-1 ahead after just 6 minutes. Corner forward Alan Fitzgerald accounted for five of these six scores which included a couple of superb two pointers.

But Longford responded in the 7th minute when Dylan Ledwith blasted the ball to the net after receiving an excellent pass from Max Gallagher. Indeed Longford persisted in searching for goals but were denied on two occasions by the superb Carlow goalkeeper Ryan Gordon. 

James Flynn (two-pointer free) and Max Gallagher added points for Longford but it was Carlow who were scoring more freely and the south Leinster lads were 0-11 to 1-4 ahead in first half stoppage time.

 However Longford received a tonic in the 32nd minute when Cormac Mulligan scored a goal through a sea of defenders to leave the minimum between the sides at the break.

Longford were the better team in the third quarter. Points from James Flynn (3) and a Gavin Donohoe goal saw them lead 3-8 to 0-15 after 48 minutes. 

When substitute Troy Tiernan scored a superb two pointer in the 58th minute Longford were ahead by 3 and controlling the game. But a misplaced pass ended with Alex Doyle getting the equalising goal for the visitors to force extra-time.

Longford then really upped the ante in the additional period. Points from substitute Diarmuid O’Brien, Dylan Ledwith and a brace apiece from Tiernan and the most impressive Max Gallagher saw Longford move 5 clear after 75 minutes.

But Carlow went down fighting. Alex Doyle grabbed his second goal in the 79th minute and the same player closed the gap to a single point in the final minute.

However Longford had the last say of this highly entertaining encounter when Liam Greene fisted over an insurance point in the 82nd minute to see the home side run out deserving winners and book their place in the semi-final against Sligo at the Annaduff GAA grounds (Leitrim) this Sunday, throw-in 1pm, with Laois and Wicklow meeting in the other last four clash. 

LONGFORD: Ray McNally; Jack Conlon, Cathal Lynch, Alex Karyntinos; Liam Greene, Billy Maguire (captain), Dylan Ledwith; Max Gallagher, Aidan Kelly; Diarmuid Breslin, Cormac Mulligan, Aidan Mollahan; James Flynn, Daniel Corr, Darragh Grimes.

Subs:- Gavin Donohoe for A Mollahan (half-time); Niall Curley for Grimes (48 mins); Troy Tiernan for J Flynn (54 mins); Diarmuid O’Brien for D Corr (start of extra-time); J Flynn for G Donohoe (70 min); Corr for Curley (76 min). 

CARLOW:  Ryan Gordon; Alex Donnelly, Conor Stanley, Alex Doyle; Darragh Casey, Leon Fitzgerald, Ronan Dooley; Ben Curry, Mikey Byrne; John Hendricken, Jacob Curran, Fiach Byrne; Alan Fitzgerald, Luke Byrne, Mark Buggy.

Subs:- Edward O’Byrne for Curran (44 mins); Luke O’Brien for Hendricken (53 mins); Shane Gurhy for L Byrne (56 mins); Daniel Brennan for Dooley (60 mins). 

Referee: Aaron Clogher (Roscommon).