Longford let victory slip as Tipperary snatch a draw

On the brink of registering a third consecutive victory in Division 4 of the National Football League when they held a 4-point lead at the end of normal time, Longford let the game slip from their grasp as Tipperary staged a late, late comeback to snatch a draw at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday

Longford . . . 1-15      Tipperary . . . 0-18

Inspired by a cracking goal from substitute Dylan Farrell in the 46th minute, Mike Solan’s side showed a lot of character against the swirling wind in the second half and looked to have done enough to come out on top when Dessie Reynolds surged forward to shoot over the bar in the 68th minute but spirited Tipperary launched a rescue mission in stoppage time. 

Impressive corner-forward Cian Smith (0-8) landed a sweetly struck two-pointer and another quickly followed from the boot of Sean O’Connor who fired the pressure free from the edge of the arc over the bar to leave the sides all square in the end.

In fact, the visitors had one more chance to win the game but shot wide and while Longford were fortunate in the finish they were the better team for the majority of this close encounter. 

In the only change from the team that started in the great win over Antrim the previous weekend, the injured Ronan Sweeney was replaced at midfield by Daire O’Brien.

The slender 0-9 to 0-7 lead at half-time against Tipperary was boosted by a mighty two-pointer free converted by Dylan Farrell with a couple of minutes gone on the changeover.

The crucial goal from Farrell from a shot that dipped into the back of the net was looking like the decisive matchwinning score, only for Tipperary to salvage the situation to the sheer dismay of the Longford supporters.  

It was a cruel blow in the push for promotion but they can get right back in contention for a top 2 finish should they succeed in getting the better of the unbeaten table toppers Carlow in the Round 5 showdown at Pearse Park on Sunday next! 

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), Daire O’Brien (Longford Slashers); Daniel Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s, 0-2), Joseph Hagan (Dromard), James Moran (Killoe Emmet Og); Paddy Moran (Killoe Emmet Og, 0-1), Matthew Carey (0-1, free) Oran Kenny (Rathcline. 0-3). 

Subs:- Dylan Farrell (St Brigid’s Killashee, 1-3, 1 two-pointer free, 1 free) for P Moran and Niall Farrelly (Killoe Emmet Og, 0-1) for D O’Brien (both at half-time); Oisin Kenny (Rathcline) for Daniel Reynolds (injured, 60 mins); Matthew Flynn (Clonguish) for J Moran (68 mins).

TIPPERARY: Shane Garland; Jack Harney, Mark Corcoran, Eoghan O’Connell; James Morris, Paudie Feehan, Mark Stokes; Luke Boland, Joe Higgins; Charlie King, Steven O’Brien (0-1), Kieran Costello; Cian Smith (0-8, 1 two-pointer play), Sean O’Connor (0-6, brace of two-pointers play and free, 1 free), Daithi Hogan (0-3).

Subs:- Mark Russell for P Feehan (54 mins); Killian Butler for C King, Paddy O’Keeffe for S O’Brien and Jack O’Neill for L Boland (all in the 60th minute); Manus McFadden for J Harney (62 mins).

Referee: Mark Loughran (Tyrone).