Longford conquer Carlow in big boost for promotion push

Despite squandering several scoring chances during the course of this crunch clash at wet and windy Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last, Longford still managed to conquer the previously unbeaten table toppers Carlow in Division 4 of the National Football League.

Longford . . . 1-19   Carlow . . . 1-14

With Wicklow losing to Antrim, the revitalised midlanders have earned a big boost in the push for promotion and that target will be achieved should they succeed in winning their remaining couple of fixtures with the next task against neighbouring rivals Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday March 15th.

The final round is a home game against Wicklow a week later and on the evidence of their excellent second half display (inspired by captain Patrick Fox) against the stiff wind in the win over Carlow, the team that the manager Mike Solan has marshalled will be in a confident mood after extending their unbeaten run to 4 matches.

Cathal McCabe and Jayson Matthews may have left the panel for personal reasons but it did not affect resolute Longford who overcame the blow of conceding a goal just before the break when Christopher Blake was on target for the visitors.

After kicking no less than 5 two-pointers wide in the first half, the prominent Oran Kenny raised a couple of orange flags for the home side and got another when Matthew Carey shot over the bar in the third minute of stoppage time to leave Longford in a slender 0-11 to 1-7 lead at the break.

Carlow did not register a solitary wide in the first half and were looking in a strong position after Mikey Bambrick landed a score which was quickly followed by a two-pointer from Conor Doyle in the early stages of the second half.

That was really putting it up to Longford but they showed great character to remain in contention with the playmaker Matthew Carey very much to the fore while his Clonguish colleague Matthew Flynn made a very pleasing first start for the county seniors.

Winning a lot of the primary possession throughout the match with newcomer midfielder Liam Glennon really making his presence felt, a lot of goal chances were created but none were converted until James Moran struck gold in the 65th minute when the sides were all square (0-17 to 1-14) following a Mikey Bambrick two-pointer.

Latching on to the perfect pass from the chief marksman Oran Kenny (0-6), the composed Moran planted the ball in the back of the net and a further point apiece followed from the influential Dylan Farrell (converting a free for his fifth score) and substitute Paddy Moran to clinch the vital victory which well deserved.

Iarla O’Sullivan was back in action, replacing the unfortunate Peter Lynn who was forced to retire injured in the 54th minute. Lynn was playing very well for Longford, as he has done throughout the league campaign this season, and the overall picture is much brighter.

Carlow were guilty of shooting a total of 9 wides in the second half and became increasingly frustrated, particularly in the closing stages with four two-pointer attempts off target following the decisive Longford goal.

Having said that, Joe Murphy’s side are still strongly fancied to gain promotion with their remaining fixtures at home to London and Leitrim.

Oran Kenny (5), Dylan Farrell (3) and Matthew Carey (3) accounted for the 11 Longford points in the first half with goal chances breaking to Carey (twice), James Moran, substitute Cian Brady (replacing the injured Ryan Moffett at the break), Dessie Reynolds and Farrell following a series of Carlow blocks in second half scrambles.

At least there were scores from Carey and Brady (the latter clean through after making a vital interception) during the dominant period and the other points in the exciting second half from a Longford view were registered by Oran Kenny, Dylan Farrell (2), Paddy Moran (2) and Matthew Flynn.

Minus the injured Daniel Reynolds, Longford almost threw the game away but they stuck it out on this occasion to give the home supporters something to shout about with things gradually improving under the guidance of Mike Solan.

LONGFORD: Eoin McGuinness (Longford Slashers); Patrick Fox (Mullinalaghta St. Columba’s), Ryan Moffett (Killoe Emmet Og), Bryan Masterson (Abbeylara); Peter Lynn (Longford Slashers), Oisin O’Toole (Dromard), Dessie Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s); Liam Glennon (Carrickedmond), Ronan Sweeney (Clonguish); James Moran (Killoe Emmet Og, 1-0); Matthew Carey (Clonguish, 0-4, 1 two-pointer), Matthew Flynn (Clonguish, 0-1); Dylan Farrell (St Brigid’s Killashee, 0-5, 2 frees), Joseph Hagan (Dromard), Oran Kenny (Rathcline, 0-6, brace of two-pointers). 

Subs:- Cian Brady (Abbeylara, 0-1) for R Moffett (injured, half-time); Paddy Moran (Killoe Emmet Og, 0-2) for J Hagan (51 mins); Iarla O’Sullivan (Rathline) for P Lynn (injured, 54 mins).

CARLOW: Ben McCarron; Colin Byrne, Dara Curran (0-1), Lee Moore; Niall Roche, Mark Furey, Padraig Bolger; Eoghan Ruth, Conor Doyle (0-3, 1 two-pointer); Paddy McDonnell (0-1), Colm Hulton (0-3), Mikey Bambrick (0-3, 1 two-pointer); Conor Crowley (0-1), Christopher Blake (1-2, 1 free), Ross Dunphy.

Subs:- Sean Murphy for C Byrne (46 mins); Aaron Amond for R Dunphy (53 mins); John Murphy for P Bolger (60 mins); Tadhg Roche for D Curran (67 mins); Liam Gavin for C Crowley (67 mins).