Longford chasing another win at home to Tipperary
Allianz National Football League Division 4 - Round 4
Inspired by a brilliant first half display which yielded a total of 19 points to establish a commanding advantage at the break, Longford consolidated their grip on the game to defeat a very disappointing Antrim outfit in Division 4 of the National Football League on Sunday last. Match report on page 63
Played at the far away Roger Casements club grounds in Portglenone, Longford manager Mike Solan was delighted with the victory by the wide margin of 13 points to keep alive the hopes of promotion in the aftermath of the dismal defeat at home to London.
The county senior footballers are back in action at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday when they take on Tipperary in the chase for a third consecutive win following the great escape against Waterford in Dungarvan.
Antrim may be in disarray after losing their first three fixtures but this was a great win for revitalised Longford in a big boost for the confidence factor.
After drawing with London in Ruislip and who then won by four points at home to Antrim, a first defeat was suffered by Tipperary against the league leaders Carlow who came from seven points down at one stage in the first half to eventually come out on top on a 1-17 to 1-14 scoreline.
Tipp now need to get back on track by beating Longford with the vastly experienced Steven O’Brien leading the charge in the attack with Sean O’Connor and Cian Smith also capable of posing problems in the forward division.
Longford are well capable of collecting two more vital points if they succeed in showing the same sort of sheer urgency that dismantled Antrim.
Hopefully the home supporters will turn out in bigger than usual numbers for this crunch clash with Carlow next up at Pearse Park in a potential top of the table showdown the following Sunday.
Allianz NFL Division 4 Fixtures Round 4
Saturday 21 February
Netwatch Cullen Park: Carlow v Waterford, 5pm
Sunday 22 February
Glennon Brothers Pearse Park: Longford v Tipperary, 2pm
Carrick: Leitrim v Antrim, 2pm
Aughrim: Wicklow v London, 1pm