Reynolds runs riot as rampant Longford romp to fourth O’Byrne Cup title

Dynamic Dessie Reynolds was in devastating form as his inspirational 3-3 contribution steered impressive Longford to O’Byrne Cup glory for the fourth occasion, the first time since 2020, with a comprehensive ten points victory over Louth in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park this afternoon.

After a tentative enough start, Longford led by 1-7 to 0-7 at the interval, however, in the second half, Paddy Christie’s sharp and well drilled charges stepped up through the gears as they simply ripped Louth asunder, outscoring the visitors over the concluding 35 plus minutes by 2-6 to 0-5. 

Louth, who will operate in a division above Longford in the Allianz NFL which begins next weekend, had no answer whatsoever to the excellent Reynolds and his fellow corner forward David McGivney and the pair between them finished with 3-7 to their credit. 

Indeed, Louth boss Mickey Harte replaced both of his cornerbacks and that tells you all you need to know about the dominance and brilliance of Reynolds and McGivney. 

Around mid-field, Darren Gallagher and Fergal Sheridan dictated matters and their work rate coupled with the industry of Mickey Quinn ensured the home side controlled the central diamond. The only Louth player to really trouble the solid Longford defence was Sam Mulroy and unfortunately for him, his late, late penalty miss summed up the miserable afternoon it was for his team. 

PICTURES | Gallery of great photos as impressive Longford celebrate O'Byrne Cup glory

Longford captain Barry O’Farrell accepted the silverware and he spoke about the O’Byrne Cup being a worthwhile competition and he thanked his squad for the massive effort they had put in. He also poignantly expressed sympathy to Co Board Chairperson Albert Cooney on the death of his mother during the week.

Longford manager Paddy Christie no doubt will be absolutely delighted with this success and he and his squad got their just reward for respecting the integrity of the O’Byrne Cup competition. 

But you can be damn sure that behind closed doors in the sanctuary of the  dressing room the former Dublin star was reminding his players that they’ll need to refocus quickly for the start of their Allianz NFL Division 3 campaign away to Fermanagh next Saturday which is a very tricky opening assignment. 

The Scoring 

Mickey Harte’s Louth got off to a flying start and were 0-2 to nil ahead inside five minutes as Ryan Burns and Sam Mulroy (free) were on target. Both sides were guilty of poor shooting during a nervy opening with Joe Hagan and Daniel Mimnagh off target with decent opportunities for Longford. 

The ‘home’ side eventually broke their duck in the 13th minute with a brilliantly worked point that was dispatched by Dessie Reynolds. And seconds later, following an impressive build-up that saw Fergal Sheridan, Mickey Quinn and Daniel Mimnagh involved, Dessie Reynolds arrived at pace and blasted his strike to the twine, Longford 1-1 Louth 0-2.  

By the 21st minute, Louth were on level terms courtesy of dead ball specialist Sam Mulroy who converted a free and a ‘45. Longford quickly regained the lead as David McGivney fended off a few defenders to gather a high Quinn delivery and under pressure he grabbed a point. Louth responded and by the 24th minute the Wee County were in front, 1-2 to 0-6, as Mulroy (his first point from play)  and half back Oisin McGuinness slotted over points. 

Longford regained the initiative with mercurial midfielder Darren Gallagher levelling the contest for the 3rd occasion with a super long range score after he accepted a Gary Rogers pass. Gallagher then landed a successful ‘45 before a lovely crossfield  Peter Lynn pass picked out Dessie Reynolds who duly dispatched a point, 1-5 to 0-6 with 28 minutes elapsed.  

The magnificent Mulroy curled over Louth’s 7th point (his 5th) in the 32nd minute and this was immediately cancelled out by David McGivney who confidently slotted over a free won by Reynolds. In additional time, with Longford full back Andrew Farrell lifting the siege, a sweeping move was polished off with a lovely Fergal Sheridan point giving Longford a half-time cushion of 1-7 to 0-7. 

On the restart, the teams traded points. Jay Hughes scored from distance for Louth and following a foul on Dylan Farrell, Longford’s David McGivney slotted over his second free. Directly from Martin McEneaney’s kick-out Louth came back down the field and Tom Gray scored a point from an acute angle, 1-8 to 0-9.

By the 45th minute, Longford were eight points clear, 2-11 to 0-9, as they hit a match winning purple patch that yielded 1-3 without reply. David McGivney’s aerial presence saw him win another high Quinn delivery and he pointed before Daniel Mimnagh cleverly ‘fisted’ over a point. Iarla O’Sullivan then supplied the vital pass and the unmarked Dessie Reynolds cooly wrong footed the Louth ‘keeper and slotted a low shot to the corner of the net. Again the high direct ball caused problems for the Louth defence with McGivney breaking it down and the on-fire Reynolds capitalised to bring his personal tally to 2-3. 

Louth reduced the deficit with points from Sam Mulroy (free) and Conal McCaul, but Longford put the issue beyond doubt in the 59th minute. Joe Hagan delivered a lovely cross and the brilliant Reyolds gathered, sold a few dummies and side steps to the bewildered Louth rearguard and he rifled his strike to the roof of the net. Mickey Quinn followed up with the point that his industry and work deserved to put Longford ten points ahead, 3-12 to 0-11, 61 minutes elapsed. 

A 62nd minute Jay Hughes point was greeted by faint cheers from the Louth contingent present at the final, and Longford were then denied a 4th goal as Iarla O’Sullivan’s shot was saved.  Darren Gallagher converted his second ‘45 of the game and that proved to be the final score. Louth did have an opportunity to net a consolation goal but Sam Mulroy’s penalty flew well wide and  it summed up a very frustrating outing for the ‘Wee County’. 

Scorers

Longford: Dessie Reynolds 3-3, David McGivney 0-4 (0-2 frees), Darren Gallagher 0-3 (0-2 ‘45), Fergal Sheridan 0-1 , Daniel Mimnagh 0-1, Mickey Quinn 0-1

Louth: Sam Mulroy 0-6 (0-3 frees, 0-1 ‘45), Jay Hughes 0-2, Ryan Burns 0-1, Oisin McGuinness 0-1, Tom Gray 0-1, Conal McCaul 0-1

LONGFORD: Paddy Collum (Fr Manning Gaels); Ryan Moffett (Killoe), Andrew Farrell (Cashel), Barry O’Farrell captain (Carrickedmond); Iarla O’Sullivan (Rathcline), Gary Rogers (Mullinalaghta), Peter Lynn (Longford Slashers); Fergal Sheridan (Colmcille), Darren Gallagher (Granard); Joseph Hagan (Dromard),  Dylan Farrell (St Brigid’s Killashee), Michael Quinn (Killoe); Dessie Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s), Daniel Mimnagh (Killoe), David McGivney (Mullinalaghta).

Subs: Aaron Farrell (Dromard) for D Farrell (56 mins), Robbie Smyth (Abbeylara)  for M Quinn (62 mins), James McGivney (Mullinalaghta) for D Mimnagh (64 mins), Jack Macken (Colmcille) for D Reynolds (66 mins), Peter Foy (St Loman’s Mullingar) for P Lynn, Ruairi Harkin (Colmcille) for G Rogers, Tadhg McNevin (Longford Slashers) for D Gallagher, Jayson Matthews (Mullinalaghta) for David McGivney, Conor Keenan for Joe Hagan.

LOUTH: Martin McEneaney; Alan Connor, Bevan Duffy, Paraic McKenny; Oisin McGuinness, Tom Jackson, Craig Lennon; Tommy Durnin, Conal McCaul; Shane Matthews, Ciaran Keenan,  Sam Mulroy; Jay Hughes, Ryan Burns, Tom Gray

Subs: Niall Sharkey for C Lennon (40 mins), Gerard Browne for P McKenny (53 mins), Jack Murphy for S Matthews (64 mins), Conor Clarke for A Connor (65 mins), Evan Maher for C McCaul (68 mins)

REFEREE: Keith O’Brien, Westmeath