Longford show character and mightily relieved as late Daniel Reynolds goal sinks Déise

If last week’s defeat to London cast a long shadow over Longford’s season, Sunday’s dramatic win in Dungarvan at least brought a shade of light - even if it flickered nervously right up to the final whistle.

Daniel Reynolds’ stoppage-time goal secured two precious league points for Longford, but it did so in a manner that encapsulated both the promise and the persistent vulnerabilities of this team. It was a win that relieved pressure rather than banishing it, and a performance that showed improvement without entirely convincing.

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The context heading into Fraher Field could hardly have been more significant. Longford have historically enjoyed the upper hand over Waterford in the league - their only defeat to the Déise came in 1999. The last time they even dropped points to them was a draw in Dungarvan in 2010, a difficult campaign in which Longford finished third from bottom, ahead only of London and Kilkenny - their lowest-ever league placing. With a loss to London already recorded in 2026, another setback here would have edged this side uncomfortably close to that unhappy benchmark.

Mike Solan made three changes from the London game: James Moran came in for Oisín Kenny, Dylan Farrell replaced Cathal McCabe, and Ronan Sweeney also started in place of Cian Brady. The reshuffle brought more physicality into the team.

Longford began brightly, with Matthew Carey converting a free, though Waterford quickly replied through Donal Fitzgerald and James Walsh. Paddy Moran’s lively point from play kept Longford in touch before the game’s first major turning point - a harsh black card for Waterford’s Liam Milligan.

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Longford capitalised through Oran Kenny and another Moran score, but Waterford delivered a sharp blow when Aaron Ryan finished for a goal after a box scramble when a shot for a point dropped short. Dessie Reynolds steadied Longford with a neat point before Dylan Farrell found the net with a well-taken finish that reignited the Midlanders’ momentum. Crucially, goalkeeper Eoin McGuinness then produced an excellent save from Ryan - a moment that could easily have altered the game’s trajectory when Longford had a man up.

Waterford’s best pair Stephen Curry and Conor Murray kept the scoreboard moving, while a two-point free from Dermot Ryan ensured the Déise stayed in contention. Late scores from Farrell (a 45) and Peter Lynn edged Longford ahead at half-time, 1-8 to 1-7 - a slender but deserved lead.

The second half started in the worst possible fashion for the visitors, as Darragh Walsh rose highest to fist a Waterford goal almost immediately after the restart - a second effort for a point that resulted in a three pointer. Farrell replied with another fantastic 45 which highlighted more the opportunities not taken by Longford to let the Killashee man shoot for double.

Waterford’s most dangerous player, right half back Conor Murray then fired over a brace to break into a 3 point lead 10 minutes into the second half. Though Longford’s most impressive star Dessie Reynolds bettered his defensive counterpart with outrageous back-to-back two-pointers. His brother Daniel added another point, and for a period it looked as though Longford might pull clear.

Waterford, however, refused to go away quietly. Curry and Murray continued to find openings, and Solan turned to his bench, introducing Cian Brady — who marked his appearance with a tidy score to keep Longford two clear.

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Waterford's ace Conor Murray converted another two-point free before disaster struck Longford’s net again when Murray found himself free in the pocket and advanced further to point but another dropping effort was guided to the net, this time by Liam Milligan. Suddenly, the Déise were back in a comfortable three point lead, 3-14 to 1-17, and with 4 minutes of injury time being called as McGuinness restarted, memories of last week’s late fade-out in Pearse Park lingered.

Farrell clipped over a free to keep Longford alive, and deep into added time, Daniel Reynolds seized his moment — breaking clear and firing to the net for the decisive goal that ultimately sealed a 2-18 to 3-14 victory.

It was exhilarating, nerve-wracking, and ultimately hugely important for Longford’s league campaign.

Looking back to last season, Longford won only two league games - one of them against Waterford - a result that briefly lifted morale and confidence. That win followed a heavy defeat away to Wicklow, when Solan emptied his bench in search of answers. Granard’s Harry Kiernan, notably, did not feature that day but was introduced the following week against Waterford and has not appeared since - Oisin Kenny will be hoping he doesn’t find himself in a similar predicament.

The previous week against London, Joe Hagan and Jayson Matthews were introduced late and helped Longford finish strongly, alongside James Moran and Dylan Farrell. Neither Hagan nor Matthews featured in Dungarvan, though Matthew Flynn made his league debut and showed encouraging signs. 

Still, there were moments in the closing stages when the experience of Hagan and Matthews might have helped Longford manage the game more comfortably. Overall, Longford’s use of substitutes has felt sporadic and hard to decipher, with little consistency from one week to the next. The management will need to settle on their selection choices for this Longford team to pick up much needed momentum.

Ultimately, Longford left Dungarvan with the result they badly needed. It was far from flawless, but it showed character, attacking threat, and a willingness to fight until the end.

This was not a performance that solves every issue but it is a platform. And after the loss to London, that counts for a great deal.

LONGFORD: Eoin McGuinness (Longford Slashers); Paddy Fox (Mullinalaghta), Ryan Moffett (Killoe), Bryan Masterson (Abbeylara); Peter Lynn (0-2, Longford Slashers), Oisin O’Toole (Dromard), Dessie Reynolds (0-5, 2 tp, Sean Connollys); Liam Glennon (Carrickedmond), Ronan Sweeney (Clonguish); James Moran (Killoe), Matthew Carey (0-1, 1f, Clonguish), Daniel Reynolds (1-2, Sean Connollys); Paddy Moran (0-2, Killoe), Dylan Farrell (1-4, 2f, 2 45, Killashee), Oran Kenny (0-1, Rathcline). 

Subs: Cathal McCabe (Colmcille) for Carey (56 mins), Cian Brady (0-1, Abbeylara) for Farrell (67 mins), Matthew Flynn (Clonguish) for J Moran (71 mins).

WATERFORD: P Hunt; G Power, D Ó Cathasaigh, C Ó Cuirrín; C Murray (0-5, 1tpf), A Crawford, D Fitzgerald (0-1); M Curry, C Walsh; J Walsh (0-1), A Ryan (1-1, 1f), L Mulligan (1-0); D Ryan (0-2, 1 tpf), S Curry (0-4, 2f), D Walsh (1-0). 

Subs: B Hynes for Power (h-t), P McCarthy for J Walsh (50), C Foley for D Ryan (56), M O’Brien for A Ryan (65) C Fennell for D Walsh (71).

REFEREE: James Regan (Cork).