Promotion setback as Longford crash to demoralising defeat against Leitrim

Longford’s hopes of gaining one of the two promotion places suffered a significant setback as they crashed to a demoralising defeat against neighbouring rivals Leitrim in the difficult conditions at wet and windy Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday. 

Leitrim . . . 3-19    Longford . . . 1-15

Just two points separate seven teams in the congested Division 4 table and while there are a number of permutations in a fascinating finish to the Division 4 campaign, a win is a must for Mike Solan’s men against Wicklow in the final round fixture at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park next weekend. 

It was a stark reminder of the opening round defeat against London and the subsequent great escape in Dungarvan against Waterford as Longford’s four-match unbeaten run was halted in this reality check against a physically stronger Leitrim outfit who produced their best performance in the National League this season.

Powered by four two-pointers (all from play) with the advantage of the wind in the first half, the highly charged home county led by 1-12 to 1-7 at the break with Gavin Reynolds finishing the ball to the net in the 17th minute after a free from Barry McNulty dropped short of the posts.

The impressive McNulty, operating effectively in the middle of the park, landed a couple of the two-pointers and while Longford were given a lifeline with a cracking goal from Matthew Carey in the 19th minute they were generally second best in a poor performance with the wide margin of 10 points separating the sides in the end. 

A flying start to the second half against the wind yielded four points in a row for Leitrim in this decisive period with Conor Quinn, Fergal McLoughlin (when a goal was on), Paul Honeyman and Ryan O’Rourke on target before Joseph Hagan replied with a score for the rattled visitors. 

Then came the killer blow when a speculative shot from McNulty skidded through the legs of Longford keeper Eoin McGuinness in the 47th minute for the second goal and a point apiece followed from Ryan O’Rourke and Jake Kelly.

That left Leitrim in a very commanding 13-point lead (2-18 to 1-8) and Longford’s cause was certainly not helped by the 8 wides they kicked on the changeover. 

Having that, Leitrim squandered other goal chances before they eventually raised the green flag for the third time courtesy of Gary Reynolds in the 68th minute. 

Before that calamity Longford did succeed in shooting five consolation scores in a row through substitute Paddy Moran, Dessie Reynolds (two-pointer), defender Peter Lynn (who was clearly the best performer for the losers) and Matthew Carey (free).

Oran Kenny landed a two-pointer in stoppage time and it remains to be seen whether the manager Mike Solan can lift his battered boys against Wicklow on the road to redemption in the build up to the Leinster Championship clash at home to Westmeath on Sunday April 14.   

LEITRIM: Killian Gaffey (0-2, 2 45’s); Eoin McLoughlin, Conor Reynolds, Sean Harkin; Fergal McLoughlin (0-1), Mark Diffley, Eanna McNamara; Conor Quinn (0-1), Barry McNulty (1-4, brace of two-pointers play); Paul Honeyman (0-1), Keith Keegan (0-2, two-pointer play), Riordan O’Rourke (0-4, 1 two-pointer play); Jack Kelly (0-1), Ryan O’Rourke (0-3), Gavin Reynolds (2-0). 

Subs:- Oisin McLoughlin for P Honeyman (55 mins); Cillian McGloin for K Keegan (65 mins). 

All in stoppage time:- Tom Plunkett for F McLoughlin; Peter Prior for E McNamara and Kieran Clancy for B McNulty (injured). 

LONGFORD: Eoin McGuinness (Longford Slashers); Patrick Fox (Mullinalaghta St. Columba’s), Ryan Moffett (Killoe Emmet Og), Bryan Masterson (Abbeylara); Peter Lynn (Longford Slashers, 0-2), Oisin O’Toole (Dromard), Dessie Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s, 0-3, 1 two-pointer); Liam Glennon (Carrickedmond), Ronan Sweeney (Clonguish); James Moran (Killoe Emmet Og), Matthew Carey (Clonguish, 1-3, 2 frees), Matthew Flynn (Clonguish); Dylan Farrell (St Brigid’s Killashee), Joseph Hagan (Dromard, 0-2), Oran Kenny (Rathcline, 0-4, 1 two-pointer). 

Subs:- Paddy Moran (Killoe Emmet Og, 0-1) for J Hagan (52 mins); Aidan McGuire (Carrickedmond) for D Farrell (65 mins); Cian Brady (Abbeylara) for M Flynn (65 mins); Ronan Bleakley (Dromard) for R Moffett (68 mins). 

Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford).