What a wonderful win as Longford spring surprise against Westmeath

Longford . . . 0-14    Westmeath . . . 0-10

It was a crucial first victory in Division 3 of the National Football League this season in a big boost in the battle to avoid relegation and revitalised Longford will head to Belfast to face Antrim next Saturday in a fairly confident frame of mind.

Leading the charge against the neighbouring rivals Westmeath was the inspirational captain Michael Quinn who got the green light to play at TEG Cusack Park following a successful appeal to overturn the very harsh red card he received against Fermanagh the previous week. 

Quinn was clean through for a glorious goal chance with just three minutes gone in the game but the opposing keeper Jason Daly produced a fine point-blank save to keep his net intact.

Westmeath then took over to establish what appeared to be a comfortable 0-5 to 0-1 lead midway through the first half with Darren Gallagher getting the Longford score in the 8th minute.

But Billy O’Loughlin’s boys came storming back to fire over seven points with Joseph Hagan going close to getting a goal in the 25th minute when his well struck shot was parried over the bar by the Westmeath keeper. 

Longford ended up leading by 0-8 to 0-7 at the break and while the home side regained the lead with a point apiece from Nigel Harte and John Heslin, the latter landing a brilliant strike in the 43rd minute, Jack Cooney’s side failed to register another score until the fifth minute of stoppage time.

A converted mark from Hagan levelled matters in the 47th minute and a further five points followed from Jack Duggan (free), Jayson Matthews, Dylan Farrell (free), Keelin McGann and Patrick Fox to clinch a huge result. 

It might have been a different story but for the penalty save by Longford keeper Paddy Collum who denied John Heslin a goal for Westmeath with three minutes gone on the changeover.

Westmeath became increasingly frustrated as the second half wore on with Heslin having another goal attempt blocked while it took a great reflex save from the home keeper Daly to stop a cracking shot from Duggan in the 60th minute. 

Make no mistake about it, Longford were full value for the fine victory and things went from bad to worse for Westmeath who were reduced to 14 players when David Lynch (straight red card) was sent-off in the 61st minute.

And that became 13 when second half substitute Kieran Martin received a black card deep into stoppage time. 

WESTMEATH: Jason Daly; Jack Smith, Kevin Maguire, David Giles; Nigel Harte (0-1), Ronan Wallace, Sam McCartan (0-1); Sam Duncan, Jonathan Lynam (0-1); David Lynch, Ronan O’Toole (0-1), Lorcan Dolan (0-1); Luke Loughlin, John Heslin (0-2), Alex Gardiner (0-2). 

Subs:- Senan Baker for L Loughlin (half-time); Shane Allen for D Giles (half-time); Kieran Martin for L Dolan (51 mins); TJ Cox (0-1) for A Gardiner (60 mins); Robbie Forde for R O’Toole (69 mins). 

LONGFORD: Paddy Collum (Fr Manning Gaels); Patrick Fox (Mullinalaghta, 0-1), Andrew Farrell (Cashel), Barry O’Farrell (Carrickedmond); Iarla O’Sullivan (Rathcline), Michael Quinn (Killoe), James Moran (Killoe); Ryan Moffett (Killoe), Darren Gallagher (Granard, 0-3, two frees); Joseph Hagan (Dromard, 0-4, one mark), Dylan Farrell (Killashee, 0-2, frees), Eoghan McCormack (Carrickedmond); Jayson Matthews (Mullinalaghta, 0-2), Mark Hughes (Killoe), Jack Duggan (Clonguish, 0-1, free).

Subs:- Keelin McGann (Kenagh, 0-1) for R Moffett (43 mins); Aidan McGuire (Carrickedmond) for M Hughes (47 mins); Oran Kenny (Rathcline) for J Matthews (62 mins); Darragh Doherty (Mostrim) for J Duggan (66 mins); Kevin Diffley (Ballymahon) for D Gallagher (69 mins). 

Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin).