Longford in need of a positive result at home against Louth
Allianz National Football League Division 3 - Round 2
The pressure is on both counties after suffering defeats in the opening round of the National Football League and whoever loses at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday (throw-in 2pm) will be fighting a relegation battle even at this early stage of the 2022 season.
Division 3 is a real minefield and winning the home fixtures is clearly the target for Longford who will also face Fermanagh and Wicklow at the local GAA headquarters in the quest to pick up precious league points.
With three more difficult away games to come against Westmeath, Antrim and Laois, a win over Louth will be a big boost for the county in order to keep alive their promotion hopes.
Make no mistake about it, Mickey Harte’s side will be hard beaten in their bid to bounce back from the setback of losing against Laois in Ardee on Sunday last and the dangerman is unquestionably full-forward Sam Mulroy.
The Louth sharpshooter fired over seven points (six frees) in the 3-9 to 1-10 defeat as his side were left to rue the squandering of no less than four glorious goal chances in horrendous conditions amid the driving wind and rain.
With the advantage of the wild elements, Louth had to be content with a slender single point lead at the break (0-8 to 1-4) and two goals in quick succession in the third quarter of the contest clinched the win for Laois.
Longford and Louth clashed in the opening round of the Covid delayed 2020 Leinster Senior Football Championship and the midlanders managed to come away from Cusack Park in Mullingar with a very hard earned 1-9 to 1-7 victory on the first Sunday in November.
The majestic Mulroy accounted for the entire Louth scores (including four frees and a ‘45) on that occasion and another close encounter is probably in prospect at Pearse Park on Sunday.
Allianz NFL Division 3 Round 2 Fixtures
Saturday February 5
Corrigan Park, Belfast: Antrim v Limerick, 2.30pm
Sunday February 6
Glennon Brothers Pearse Park: Longford v Louth, 2pm
MW Hire O’Moore Park: Laois v Westmeath, 2pm
Aughrim: Wicklow v Fermanagh, 2pm
Allianz NFL Division 3 Round 1 Results
Limerick 4-9 Longford 1-11
Fermanagh 0-8 Antrim 1-14
Louth 1-10 Laois 3-9
Westmeath 1-16 Wicklow 2-8