Longford hurlers maintain unbeaten run in quest for league title success with win over Leitrim

Longford . . . 2-15    Leitrim . . . 1-7

The Longford senior hurlers are guaranteed at least a semi-final spot in Division 3B of the National League after scoring a comfortable win over Leitrim in the Round 4 clash at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday last. 

Full-forward Cathal Mullane got both goals, the first with just four minutes gone in the game, and the Limerick native found the back of the Leitrim net again midway through the second half to put the issue beyond all doubt.

Just before that the visitors were given a glimmer of hope when Joe Murray broke through to score a well-taken goal to close the gap to four points (1-9 to 1-5) but Longford stepped up another gear in adding a killer second goal and six more points to their tally during the remainder of the match - five from frees converted by Reuben Murray.

The home side led by 1-5 to 0-3 at the break but Leitrim suffered a big blow when midfielder Martin Feeney was sent-off for a straight red card in first half stoppage time with the neighbouring rivals facing a real uphill battle on the changeover.

Longford will qualify directly for the Division 3B title decider should they succeed in getting the better of the also unbeaten Fermanagh in Enniskillen this Saturday, throw-in 2.30pm.

But the County hurlers manager Adrian Moran from the Ringtown club in Westmeath does not need to be told that his players will have to improve on a poor first half performance against Leitrim which was littered with several wides (double figures) from both teams.

The only highlight was the confident manner in which Cathal Mullane weaved his way through from the right wing to plant the ball in the back of the net after Martin Feeney had opened the scoring for Leitrim in the 2nd minute.

Another goal attempt was created by Reuben Murray, whose shot was cleared off the line in the 23rd minute, with the five Longford points in the first half coming from Paddy Lynam (2 frees), David Buckley, Murray (free) and Mullane.

Joe Murray (frees) accounted for the other couple of Leitrim scores and when the visitors were reduced to 14 players after Feeney was sent-off just before the break, Longford were left in a strong position.

The midlanders dominated most of the second half in adding another 1-10 to their tally with Reuben Murray and Paddy Lynam sharing a total of eight points (7 frees).

Sean Lancaster and Cathal Mullane also shot over the bar while the four Leitrim points on the changeover came from Joe Murray (free), Conor Beirne and a brace from Gavin O’Hagan (free and play).

LONGFORD: Pat Burke (Ringtown, Westmeath); Diarmaid Caslin (Longford Slashers), Eamon Allen (Kilmacud Crokes), Karl Murray (Longford Slashers); Charles Flynn  (Ringtown), Johnny Casey (Longford Slashers), Evan Tully (Wolfe Tones); David Buckley (Longford Slashers, 0-1), Paddy Lynam (St Oliver Plunketts Mullingar, 0-5, 4 frees); Reuben Murray (Longford Slashers 0-6, 6 frees), Sean Lancaster (Castlepollard, 0-1), Maitiu O’Donohoe (Wolfe Tones Mostrim); Stephen Gregg (Clonguish Gaels), Cathal Mullane (Wolfe Tones, 2-2), Micheal Mulcahy (Longford Slashers).

Subs:- Kealan Cox (Longford Slashers) for S Gregg (43 mins); Dan Crossan (Clonguish) for M O’Donohoe (65 mins); Daire Regan (Longford Slashers) for C Flynn (67 mins). 

LEITRIM: Clement Cunniffe; Evan Cox, Stephen Goldrick, Pearse Kenny; Paul Lenehan, Conor Beirne (0-1), Kevin Clerkin; Joe Murray (1-3, 2 frees, 1 ‘65), Martin Feeney (0-1); Sean O’Riordan, Gavin O’Hagan (0-2, 1 free), Michael O’Brien; Dylan McDermott, Senan Keane, Conor Hackett.

Subs:- Jerome Fitzgibbon for S Keane (half-time); James McNabola for S O’Riordan (half-time); Brian Goldrick for P Kenny (half-time); Daithi Keane for D McDermott (60 mins); Tom McNabola for P Lenehan (67 mins). 

Referee: Michael Connolly (Sligo).