Sligo too strong as Longford fade out in the second half

Allianz National Hurling League Division 4 - Round 7

With nothing at stake other than the benefit of home advantage in the National Hurling League Final next weekend, the stronger Sligo side completely dominated the second half in the Round 7 clash against Longford at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday. 

Sligo . . . 4-25   Longford . . . 3-11

While the wide margin of 17 points separated the sides in the finish, it was hardly a true reflection on the actual trend of the game with the promoted counties deadlocked at the break, 3-7 to 1-13.

The Sligo goal just before the half-time whistle proved to be a big blow for the previously unbeaten midlanders who were not at full strength as were the opposition in a bout of some ‘shadow boxing’. 

Longford faded right of contention on the changeover as they were restricted to the meagre total of four points - three from Reuben Murray (2 65’s and a free) with Martin Farrell (free) also on target whereas rampant Sligo added another 3-12 to their impressive tally to run out very easy winners in the end. 

Two of the goals (the first from a penalty) came very late in the game from the lethal full-forward Andrew Kilcullen who clocked up the tremendous total of 3-9 and there was just no stopping Sligo once they clicked into top gear in the second half.

At least the first half was an interesting spectacle for the small attendance and the Longford manager Diarmuid Cahill must now lift his players for the match that really matters at Markievicz Park.

The Tipperary native has guided the county hurlers to a place in Division 3 of the National League with the main objective still to come - the Lory Meagher Cup Championship which begins with a home fixture in the group stage against Lancashire on Saturday April 13. 

Aided by the wind, Longford really put it up to a much fancied Sligo outfit (playing in the higher grade of the Nicky Rackard Cup) in the first half and were five points in front (3-2 to 0-6) at one stage thanks to an early goal from Joe Rabbitt (3rd minute) along with a brace of three-pointers from livewire Micheal Mulcahy.

But Longford were unable to maintain such a high intensity against the also unbeaten Sligo in this last round fixture and the odds are stacked against the underdogs in the league title decider 

LONGFORD: Johnny Maher (Kilmacud Crokes); Diarmuid Caslin (Longford Slashers),  Stephen Oates (Longford Slashers), Ciaran McNally (Wolfe Tones); Adam Quinn (Wolfe Tones, 0-2), Johnny Casey (Longford Slashers), John Gaffney (Wolfe Tones); Reuben Murray (Longford Slashers, 0-3, 2 65’s, 1 free), Sean Lancaster (Castlepollard); Sean Tiernan (Longford Slashers), Martin Farrell (Blackrock, Limerick, 0-3, 1 free), Harry Mulvihill (Longford Slashers); Micheal Mulcahy (Longford Slashers, 2-1), Joe Rabbitt (Castlepollard, 1-0), Maitiu O’Donohoe (Wolfe Tones). 

Subs:- Cathal Mullane (Wolfe Tones, 0-2) for J Rabbitt (21 mins); Dan Crossan (Clonguish Gaels for J Gaffney, half-time); Niall Hawes (Longford Slashers) for J Casey (48 mins); John Murray (Longford Slashers) for Diarmuid Caslin (56 mins). 

SLIGO: Luke Comerford; Darragh Cawley, Gavin Connolly, Oisin Moylan; Paul O’Brien, Rory McHugh, Hugh Rooney; Robert O’Kelly Lynch (1-5), Donal Hanley; Daniel Rolston (0-1), Eddie O’Donoghue (0-4), Conor Hannify (0-1); Gerard O’Kelly Lynch (0-1), Andrew Kilcullen (3-9, 1 penalty goal, 4 frees, 2 65s), Thomas Cawley (0-3).

Subs:- James Weir for D Cawley (half-time); Ronan Molloy for C Hannify (half-time); Finnian Cawley (0-1) for E O’Donoghue (39 mins); Liam O’Kelly Lynch for D Hanley (59 mins); Eoghan Durkin for H Rooney (68 mins). 

Referee: Derek Argue (Cavan),