Longford’s league title hopes dashed as Leitrim prove too strong
Allianz National Hurling League Division 3B Semi-Final
Leitrim . . . 2-16 Longford . . . 1-12
Apart from a fifteen-minute purple patch that began at the start of the second half, Leitrim dominated the majority of the contest and deservedly booked their place in the final against table toppers Cavan on Saturday next.
Both sides were dramatically changed from last week’s ‘dead rubber’ which Leitrim won by a single point, with Leitrim only starting four of last week’s starting fifteen, while Longford started just eight of the same players.
This was the second successive year that the teams met at the semi-final stage, with Longford comfortably winning by ten points with home advantage last year, but Leitrim made up for that disappointment with an excellent first half display that provided the platform for victory this time around as they led by 1-12 to 0-7 at the break.
LEITRIM: Cunniffe (0-1, f), Lenahan, McLoughlin, Clerkin, Feeney (0-2), Fitzgibbon, McGovern (0-1), Moreton (0-1), O’Hagan (0-6, 4f), Goldrick (0-1), Joe Murray (2-1), O’Riordain, Brannigan (0-1), Beirne, Delaney (0-1).
Subs:- McNabola (0-1) for Delaney (half-time), Markem for Brannigan (58 minutes), Dervan for O’Riordan (66 minutes).
LONGFORD: Burke, Casey, Karl Murray, Iarlaith Dolan, Quinn, Buckley, Allen, Flynn, Lynam (0-3, 1f), Reuben Murray (0-2), Mullane (0-6, 5f), Maher, Sheahan, Tully (0-1), Hawes.
Longford goal was an own goal by Cunniffe
Subs:- Regan for Buckley (injured, first half stoppage time), Crossan for Maher (half-time).