Longford unable to match the greater strength of Wicklow

Longford finally got their 2026 season up and running with a competitive outing in Bray on Saturday last in the O’Byrne Shield semi-final. 

Wicklow . . . 3-16    Longford . . . 1-11 

While the result ultimately went against them, the game provided valuable exposure for a youthful panel ahead of their forthcoming National League campaign.

Wicklow, who had already shaken off the rust in a narrow defeat to Meath the previous weekend, made the brighter start. Longford appeared to be brushing off early cobwebs and struggled to establish territory as Mark Jackson opened the scoring with a superb ‘45’, quickly followed by points from the lively Liam O’Neill and Eoin Darcy.

Pádraig O’Toole went close to replicating his championship goal from last season but was denied early by Longford goalkeeper Eoin McGuinness. Wicklow continued to dominate possession, pinning Longford deep inside their own half. 

Oisín McConville had made five changes from the Meath game, resting several players who had been on Sigerson Cup duty midweek — a luxury Longford did not have.

Bryan Masterson (DCU), Oisín O’Toole (UCD), Matthew Carey (ATU Sligo) and Liam Glennon (TUS Midlands) all started for their colleges earlier in the week and lined out again from the throw-in in Bray. 

Glennon, alongside Oisín Kenny (Rathcline) and Ronan Bleakley (Dromard), made their senior debuts despite having no prior championship experience at minor or U20 level. Matthew Flynn (Clonguish) also debuted at wing-forward, while county U20 Paddy Mollaghan was introduced early in the first half for the injured Paddy Moran. 

Longford were further hampered by the late withdrawals of experienced forwards Oran Kenny, Dylan Farrell and Daire O’Brien.

Longford’s most experienced player Dessie Reynolds opened Longford’s account with a superb score after ten minutes, before Matthew Carey added another fine point. Quick thinking from Jayson Matthews after he won a mark then brought the sides level.

However, a rare fumble from McGuinness gifted Wicklow a penalty, which Darcy coolly dispatched. Reynolds responded with a cracking two-pointer to keep Longford in touch, but a costly turnover soon after proved punishing as Darcy squared for Seán Murphy to finish to the net.

Further scores from JP Nolan, Liam O’Neill and the elusive Tom Moran stretched Wicklow’s advantage to seven at the interval, as they led 2-6 to 0-5.

Longford emerged with renewed intent after the restart, enjoying their strongest spell of the contest. Carey at centre-halfforward and Reynolds, at centre-half-back, led by example, each registering a brace apiece. Paddy Mollaghan showcased his sharp link play to create space for his first senior score.

The highlight of the game followed soon after, as Longford worked a superb goal from a dropped ball. With runners surging from deep, the move ended with Cathal McCabe driving directly at his marker and finishing emphatically past Jackson with his weaker foot.

Although Wicklow landed a two-pointer during this purple patch, they were outscored 1-5 to 0-2, leaving just the minimum between the sides entering the final quarter. Carey and Darcy traded frees, but Carey’s placed ball effort in the 47th minute would prove to be Longford’s final score.

As both benches emptied, Wicklow’s superior conditioning and experience began to tell. The home side struck 1-6 without reply, decisively swinging momentum back in their favour.

NFL trialist Mark Jackson kicked the score of the day from all of 55 metres in open play before adding a superb two-pointer from the deck moments later. Further points from Darcy and Oisín McGraynor followed, before the electric Fee brothers combined for Wicklow’s third goal to put the contest beyond doubt.

Despite the defeat, Longford can take encouragement from McGuinness’ accurate kick-out distribution and the promising performances of several new faces. The return of Joseph Hagan, back after a season with New York, will also bolster their attacking options.

The sides will meet again in the final round of the National League, where Mike Solan’s men will hope to have something tangible to play for. 

Wicklow’s win nudges them ahead in the overall head-to-head between the counties, 19 wins to 18, as McConville’s side now head into Division 4 as strong promotion contenders.

Longford have a couple of new coaches on board in Joe Keane and Kieran Lillis and are currently predicted to finish third from bottom, but with four home fixtures on the horizon, this young side may yet spring a few surprises.

The firm focus for Longford manager Mike Solan and his players is now the National League fixture away to Waterford in Dungarvan on Saturday January 24th.  

WICKLOW: Mark Jackson (0-5, 1tp, 1tpf, 1 ‘45’); Conall Ó Gallcobhair, Jacques McCall, Gavin Fogarty; Eoin Murtagh, Tom Moran (0-1), James Fleming; Dean Healy, Jack Hardy; Liam O’Neill (0-2), JP Nolan (0-1), Chris O’Brien (0-2, 1tp); Pádraig O’Toole, Seán Murphy (1-1), Eoin Darcy (1-3, 1-0p, 1tpf).

Subs:- Joe Prendergast for Murtagh (24 mins), Craig Maguire for Ó Gallchobhair, Cian Deering for Fogarty (44 mins), Conor Fee (1-0) for Murphy (45 mins), Oisín McGraynor (0-1) for O’Toole (45 mins), Cathal Fitzgerald for Jackson (50 mins), Cathal Baker for Hardy (51 mins), Brian Bohan for Moran (55 mins), Páidí Kavanagh for O’Brien (55 mins), Aaron O’Brien for McCall (55 mins).

LONGFORD: Eoin McGuinness (Longford Slashers); Patrick Fox (Mullinalaghta St. Columba’s), Ronan Bleakley (Dromard), Bryan Masterson (Abbeylara); Peter Lynn (Longford Slashers), Dessie Reynolds (Sean Connollys, 0-5, 1tp), Ryan Moffett (Killoe Emmet Óg); Liam Glennon (Carrickedmond), Oisín O’Toole (Dromard); Matthew Flynn (Clonguish), Matthew Carey (Clonguish, 0-4), James Moran (Killoe Emmet Óg); Jayson Matthews (Mullinalaghta St. Columba’s, 0-1), Cathal McCabe (Colmcille, 1-0), Paddy Moran (Killoe Emmet Óg). 

Subs used:- Paddy Mollaghan (St. Brigids Killashee, 0-1) for P Moran (17 mins, injured), Cian Brady (Abbeylara) for Moffett (44 mins), Joseph Hagan (Dromard) for J Moran (44 mins), Oisin Kenny (Rathcline) for Flynn (44 mins), Jamie Brady Hynes (Granard St. Mary’s) for Matthews (48 mins), Harry Kiernan (Granard St. Mary’s) for McCabe (57 mins), Caolán Lynch (Abbeylara) for Carey (57 mins).

REFEREE: David Hickey (Carlow).