Longford facing a must win match against Wicklow in the National League

After suffering a significant setback in losing by the wide margin of ten points (3-19 to 1-15) against Leitrim in Carrick on Sunday last,  the pressure is firmly on Longford in their quest to secure one of the two promotion places in Division 4 of the National Football League.

The bitterly disappointing manner of the poor performance in the heavy defeat against the highly charged neighbouring rivals was a rude awakening for the manager Mike Solan who must now lift the demoralised players for the must win match against Wicklow at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday, throw-in 1pm.

Longford should have beaten Wicklow at the same venue in the opening round of the Leinster Championship last year with the Garden County snatching a last gasp draw before going on to win with considerable comfort in the extra-time period.

Powered by quality forwards in Kevin Quinn and Oisin McGraynor who clocked up a total of 1-10 between them in the hammering of Tipperary (3-19 to 0-13) in Aughrim on Sunday last, Wicklow are the favourites to get the result they require to secure a spot in Division 3 next season.

Hopefully, Longford will give it their best shot at causing an upset with home advantage and remarkably just two points separate seven teams in the so unpredictable nature of the bottom tier league. 

It is all extremely congested in the competitive Division 4 and even if Longford succeed in beating Wicklow they could still end up missing out on promotion should both Carlow (v Leitrim) and London (v Antrim) win their remaining fixtures in a fascinating finish.

 Allianz NFL Division 4 Fixtures - Round 7 

Sunday 22 March

Glennon Brothers Pearse Park: Longford v Wicklow, 1pm

Netwatch Cullen Park: Carlow v Leitrim, 1pm 

Semple Stadium, Thurles: Tipperary v Waterford, 1pm

Erins Own, Cargin: Antrim v London, 1pm 

County U-20 and Minors in Leinster championship action 

The jam packed inter-county schedule continues with the start of the Leinster U-20 and Minor Football Championships next week and Longford will be hoping for an extended run.

First into action are the U-17s who take on neighbouring rivals Westmeath at Allen Park Park in Newtownforbes on Tuesday night (throw-in 7.30pm) and a lot of hard work has gone into the squad under the driving force of the manager Gary Toher (Clonguish).

The remaining fixtures for the minors in the difficult group stage are away to Offaly (Tuesday April 7) and at home to Dublin (Tuesday April 14) with three of the four teams to qualify for the knockout stage.

The Longford U-20 boss is Donal Ledwith (Abbeylara) with the players having prepared really well for the championship and would appear to have a good chance of making further progress.

A lot will depend on the outcome of their opening fixture away to Laois at O’Moore Park (7.30pm) on Wednesday night next (March 25) in their quest to become the first U-20 team from the county to make it through from the group phase.  

Longford’s other U-20 fixtures are both at home against Carlow (April 1) and Meath (April 8) with the top two teams moving on to the knock out stage while the bottom two will end up in the Leinster ‘B’ Championship for the Andrew Corden Cup.