Longford hurlers gain promotion to Division 3 with draw against Warwickshire

On the brink of gaining promotion after winning the previous four games, Longford made absolutely certain of their place in Division 3 of the National Hurling League next season with a draw against Warwickshire. 

Warwickshire . . . 0-16    Longford . . . 1-13

Diarmuid Cahill’s side appeared to be cruising to their expected victory at Pairc na hEireann in Birmingham on Saturday last when they built up a comfortable 1-4 to 0-0 lead with Matthew Hawes scoring the goal in the 15th minute.

Warwickshire fought back to trail by just three points at the break and looked set to spring a major surprise when they hit the front (0-16 to 1-11) with a few minutes remaining.

But gutsy Longford refused to accept defeat and late points from Reuben Murray (free) and Martin Farrell left the teams all square in the end with the county senior hurlers now looking forward to the bonus of the Division 4 league final against a strong Sligo outfit at the end of March.

A bright start saw Longford lead by 0-3 to 0-0 after five minutes with the points coming from Sean Tiernan, Matthew Hawes and Niall Hawes and it was looking good for a fifth consecutive win when Matthew got the goal.

Captain Reuben Muray converted a free in the 20th minute to extend the advantage but the visitors failed to register another score during the remainder of the first half.

Warwickshire fired over four points in a row to close the gap and with 13 minutes gone in the second half Longford led by 1-9 to 0-8 with substitute Cathal Mullane (2), Matthew Hawes, Sean Tiernan on target.

The exiles were battling hard to stay in contention despite further Longford scores from Mullane (free) and M Hawes.

Warwickshire clocked up a total of 12 points on the changeover to lead by 0-16 to 1-11 with time running out but Longford came storming back to snatch a draw with points from Reuben Murray and substitute Farrell, a first fifteen regular who was rested before his introduction

 LONGFORD: Shane Nolan; Kealan Cox, James Connell, Ciaran McNally; Adam Quinn, Sean Lancaster, Diarmuid Caslin; Reuben Murray (0-2, frees), Dan Crossan; Darragh Caslin, Ronan Courtney, Niall Hawes (0-1); Sean Tiernan (0-2), Joe Rabbitt (0-1), Matthew Hawes (1-3). 

Subs (second half):- Cathal Mullane (0-3, 1 free) for N Hawes; Martin Farrell (0-1) for Lancaster, Johnny Maher for Nolan, Harry Mulvihill for Darragh Caslin, Stephen Murray for Crossan