Longford bravehearts bound for O'Byrne Cup Final showdown with Louth

Showing remarkable resilience against the strong wind in the second half with Meath piling on the pressure in the closing stages of the game, Longford held out for the draw they needed to reach the O’Byrne Cup Final.

O'Byrne Cup Group B - Round 3: Meath 1-7 Longford 0-10

Played in horrendous wet conditions at the compact floodlit grounds in Ashbourne on Wednesday night last week, this was a fine achievement as Longford moved a step closer to winning the pre-season Leinster senior football tournament for the fourth time.

Providing the opposition in the title decider at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park this Saturday (throw-in 2pm) will be Louth and while nobody is getting carried away with the unbeaten start to the 2023 season, it is a bright beginning for the new manager Paddy Christie.

Working with the strongest squad that the county have fielded in the recent past following the return of a number of experienced players, Christie was minus a few players who were in Sigerson Cup action last week and he will be pleased with the performance against Meath.

It is another positive step in the right direction and while some silverware will be a big boost for all concerned the primary focus is firmly fixed on the opening game in Division 3 of the National League away to Fermanagh at Brewster Park in Enniskillen on Saturday January 28, throw-in 6pm.

Recovering from a bad start, Longford were full value for the result against a reasonably strong Meath side with their new manager Colm O’Rourke opting for a mix of experience and newcomers.

Joseph Hagan and Darren Gallagher produced excellent displays with Michael Quinn also playing a prominent role against Meath as gutsy Longford managed to maintain their encouraging unbeaten run so far.

Wing back Ryan Moffett is growing in stature with the resolute defence a solid unit and particularly so against the stiff wind in the second half.

The free-taking of David McGivney was also a key factor with the Mullinalaghta man firing over a total of four frees and the overall workrate of the team was immense as Longford proved a match for Meath.

A soft goal was conceded with just a couple of minutes gone with Donal Lenihan finishing the ball to the net and moments later Cillian O’Sullivan converted a mark in a flying start for Meath.

Wind assisted Longford were slow to settle but they gradually got going with Quinn, Hagan and Daniel Mimnagh all involved in the move that led to Gallagher shooting over the bar in the 7th minute.

A second point quickly followed from Hagan and the sides were all square after 14 minutes following further scores from Mimnagh and David McGivney.

Longford survived some anxious moments, including a blocked goal attempt, before Meath registered their first score for 22 minutes when a dipping shot from Shane Crosby dropped just over the bar.

Back came the visitors in the closing stages of the first half with a brace of points from frees converted by David McGivney, the second of which was a massive strike in the 34th minute.

Thus Longford held a slender 0-6 to 1-2 lead at the break but were facing a fierce uphill battle in the second half with the wind advantage now in favour of Meath.

The sides kicked five wides apiece in the first half and the Royal County levelled matters from a free converted by Donal Lenihan with four minutes gone on the changeover.

A shot from Cillian O’Sullivan then hit the upright with Meath looking the likely winners at this stage but Longford were back in front when the exceptional Joseph Hagan landed a brilliant point in the 44th minute.

Some great defending from Barry O’Farrell and Andrew Farrell denied Meath a couple of goal scoring chances and in between David McGivney converted a close range free.

Longford extended their lead when Fergal Sheridan got a touch to a centre from impact substitute James McGivney to deflect the ball over the bar and the advantage was four points (0-10 to 1-3) when Daniel Mimnagh was on target again in the 53rd minute.

That was really putting it up to Meath and while they closed the gap with a point from Donal Lenihan, they had a lucky escape when a goal attempt from Joseph Hagan was saved by the opposing keeper Billy Hogan in the 59th minute.

Moments later a point was kicked by Meath substitute Daithi McGowan but the home side continued to miss chances and were left to rue a total of eight wides in the second half as compared to none for Longford.

Deep into the tense and exciting lengthy stoppage time of seven minutes that was surprisingly added on by the Louth referee Ultan McElroy, Meath got back on level terms with two points from substitute Aaron Lynch before the final whistle was eventually blown and a draw was no more than Longford deserved in this worthwhile competitive game.

Previous winners of the O’Byrne Cup in 1965, 2000 and 2020, the current squad will carry a fair amount of momentum into Saturday's final and hopefully a rare success can be achieved.

SCORERS – Meath: Donal Lenihan 1-2 ( one free), Aaron Lynch 0-2, Cillian O’Sullivan (0-1, mark), Shane Crosby (0-1), Daithi McGowan (0-1).

Longford: David McGivney 0-4 (all frees), Joseph Hagan (0-2), Daniel Mimnagh (0-2) Darren Gallagher (0-1), Fergal Sheridan (0-1).

MEATH: Billy Hogan; Ross Ryan, Michael Flood, James O’Hare; Eoin Harkin, Donal Keogan, Daniel O’Neill; Ronan Jones, Shane Crosby; Jack O’Connor, Thomas O’Reilly, Jason Scully; Cillian O’Sullivan, Keith Curtis, Donal Lenihan.

Subs:- Brian Conlon for R Jones (half-time); Daithi McGowan for K Curtis (half-time); Jordan Morris for T O’Reilly (45 mins); Conor Moriarty for J Scully (60 mins); Aaron Lynch for D Lenihan (65 mins); Conor Quigley for E Harkin (68 mins).

LONGFORD: Paddy Collum (Fr Manning Gaels); Patrick Fox (Mullinaalaghta), Andrew Farrell (Cashel), Barry O’Farrell (Carrickedmond); Ryan Moffett (Killoe), Gary Rogers (Mullinalaghta), Ruairi Harkin (Colmcille); Fergal Sheridan (Colmcille), Darren Gallagher (Granard); Joseph Hagan (Dromard), Tadhg McNevin (Longford Slashers), Michael Quinn (Killoe); Dessie Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s), Daniel Mimnagh (Killoe), David McGivney (Mullinalaghta).

Subs:- Iarla O’Sullivan (Rathcline) for P Fox (injured, 20 mins); Peter Lynn (Longford Slashers) for R Harkin (half-time); James McGivney (Mullinalaghta) for T McNevin (45 mins); Aaron Farrell (Dromard) for D Mimnagh (58 mins); Robbie Smyth (Abbeylara) for M Quinn (70 mins), Jayson Matthews (Mullinalaghta for J Hagan (stoppage time).

Referee: Ultan McElroy (Louth).