Longford hurlers cruise to comprehensive win over Leitrim

Longford . . . 2-22   Leitrim . . . 3-9 

From the moment that lethal Longford full-forward Cian Darcy blasted the ball to the net with just a couple of minutes gone in the game, the writing was on the wall for Leitrim in this make or break clash in the Lory Meagher Cup at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday last. 

Deadly Darcy was a constant torment for the under pressure opposing defence with the former Tipperary hurler clocking up the impressive total of 1-9 to keep the midlanders in contention for a place in the Tier 5 Senior Championship title decider at Croke Park in bouncing back from the costly defeat away to Warwickshire in the previous round.

With commanding full-back Eamon Allen rarely putting a foot wrong in also producing a fine performance, Longford were generally in control against a disappointing Leitrim outfit with the wide margin of 10 points separating the sides in the finish.

There are much tougher games to come against Cavan (away) on Saturday May 11 with the remaining fixture in the group stage at home to Fermanagh on Saturday May 18.

At this stage of the competition it looks like Adrian Moran’s side will have to win both matches in order to reach the Lory Meagher Cup final for the second time in three years under the guidance of the Westmeath native from the Ringtown club.

Longford were never in any trouble against Leitrim and it was virtually all over as a contest at the break with the superior home county having established a commanding 1-11 to 0-6 advantage.

Oisin Gately created the opening for Cian Darcy to score the early goal and the chief marksman also fired over three points (1 free) in the first half.

David Buckley, Gately, Cathal Mullane, Paddy Lynam, Reuben Murray, Joe Rabbitt and a brace from wing back Evan Tully also got their names on the scoresheet and there was no way back for Leitrim whose six points in the first half were registered by Gavin O’Brien, Gavin O’Hagan (3 frees), Joe Murray and goalkeeper Clement Cunniffe (free).

Longford were in cruise control throughout the second half in adding another 1-11 to their most emphatic tally with the alert Joe Rabbitt finishing the ball to the net close to the final whistle after a shot from Darcy came back off the upright.

A couple of other goal chances were missed while Darcy slotted over another six points on the changeover.

Buckley (2), Mullane, Adam Quinn and Gately accounted for the remainder of the Longford points while goals from Stephen Goldrick and substitute James McNabola (2) in the closing stages of the match gave the final scoreline a more respectable look.

LONGFORD: Pat Burke (Ringtown, Westmeath); Diarmaid Caslin (Longford Slashers), Eamon Allen (Kilmacud Crokes), Sean Lancaster (Castlepollard); Adam Quinn (Wolfe Tones Mostrim, 0-1), Karl Murray (Longford Slashers), Evan Tully (Wolfe Tones, 0-2); Paddy Lynam (Oliver Plunketts Mullingar, 0-1), Cathal Mullane (Wolfe Tones. 0-2); Oisin Gately (Clonguish Gaels, 0-2), Charles Flynn (Ringtown), Joe Rabbitt (Castlepollard, 1-1); Reuben Murray (Longford Slashers, 0-1), Cian Darcy (Kilruane McDonagh’s, Co Tipperary, 1-9, two frees), David Buckley (Longford Slashers, 0-3). 

Subs:- Ronan Courtney (Wolfe Tones) for C Flynn (43 mins); Darragh Caslin (Longford Slashers) for R Murray (46 mins); Ryan Moore (Ringtown) for D Buckley (67 mins); Keelan Cox (Longford Slashers) for A Quinn (injured, 69 mins); Daire Regan (Longford Slashers) for E Allen (stoppage time).    

LEITRIM: Clement Cunniffe (0-1, free); Jerome Fitzgibbon, Stephen Goldrick (1-0), Pearse Kenny; Paul Lenehan, Conor Beirne, David McGovern; Joe Murray (0-2, one free), Gavin O’Brien (0-1); Brian Goldrick, Gavin O’Hagan (0-4 all frees), Martin Feeney; Philip Burgess (0-1), Sean Markham, Conor Hackett.

Subs:- James McNabola (2-0) for G O’Brien (37 mins); Michael O’Brien for S Markham (43 mins); Kevin Clerkin for D McGovern (63 mins).

Referee: James Clarke (Cavan).