Longford produce brilliant first half display in vital win away to Antrim

Most fortunate to defeat Waterford in Dungarvan the previous week, Longford stepped up another couple of gears to score a great win over Antrim in the National Football League Division 4 clash at the Roger Casements club grounds in Portglenone on Sunday.

Longford . . . 1-27    Antrim . . . 1-14 

With the aid of the wind the highly charged visitors produced a brilliant first half display, clocking up the very impressive total of 19 points which included no less than 6 two-pointers - a brace apiece from Oran Kenny, Matthew Carey and Dessie Reynolds to hold a commanding 12 point lead at the break.

Trailing by 0-19 to 1-4, there was no way back for a pointless Antrim side in disarray at the moment and revitalised Longford (without the ill Dylan Farrell) made absolutely certain of the vital victory with a goal from a penalty converted by their chief marksman Matthew Carey (1-9) in the 60th minute. 

Manager Mike Solan was delighted with the result which puts his side right back in contention for promotion in the wake of the very disappointing defeat at home against London. 

“We are capable of doing that. We had the pace and power to trouble them in the second half and thankfully that proved to be the case.”

Consecutive home games now follow against Tipperary (on Sunday next) and table toppers Carlow before Longford head to Carrick-on-Shannon to meet neighbouring rivals Leitrim. 

The final fixture is at home to Wicklow in the push for promotion with Longford currently in second spot in the table following the excellent win over Antrim by the wide margin of 13 points.  

ANTRIM: John McNabb; James McAuley, Joseph Finnegan, Kavan Keenan; Eoghan McCabe, Jack Lenehan, Marc Jordan; Paddy McAleer (0-1), Cathal Hynds; Conor Hand, Niall Burns (0-1), Oisin Doherty; Ryan McQuillan (0-3), Adam Loughran (1-2), Dominic McEnhill (0-1). 

Subs used:- Sean O’Neill, Pat Shivers (0-4), Ryan Murray (0-2), Ruairi Hagan, Kevin Small. 

LONGFORD: Eoin McGuinness (Longford Slashers); Patrick Fox (Mullinalaghta St. Columba’s), Ryan Moffett (Killoe Emmet Og), Bryan Masterson (Abbeylara); Peter Lynn (Longford Slashers), Oisin O’Toole (Dromard), Dessie Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s, 0-3, 1 two-pointer); Liam Glennon (Carrickedmond, 0-1), Ronan Sweeney (Clonguish); James Moran (Killoe Emmet Og), Matthew Carey (Clonguish, 1-9, goal from penalty, 2tpf, 1tp, 2f), Daniel Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s, 0-4); Joseph Hagan (Dromard, 0-2), Paddy Moran (Killoe Emmet Og), Oran Kenny (Rathcline, 0-6, 2tp). 

 Subs used (second half):- Cian Brady (Abbeylara) for R Sweeney (injured); Matthew Flynn (Clonguish) for J Moran; Cathal McCabe (Colmcille, 0-2) for P Moran; Niall Farrelly (Killoe Emmet Og) for Dessie Reynolds; Ronan Bleakley (Dromard) for Oisin O’Toole.

Referee: Kevin Faloon (Armagh).