Westmeath’s first half goals rush a shattering setback for outclassed Longford

Longford suffered a humiliating heavy defeat against Westmeath in falling at the first hurdle in the Leinster Senior Football Championship at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday last. 

Westmeath . . . 5-25    Longford . . . 1-16

Played in front of a disappointing attendance, estimated in the region of 1,200, the very wide margin of 21 points separated the sides in the end as Westmeath eased their way through to the quarter-final against Meath this weekend. 

It was a shattering experience for outclassed Longford who conceded five goals in a horrific first half display and it was all over as a contest at the break with the rampant neighbours in a commanding 5-9 to 1-8 lead.

It was a lost cause for Mike Solan’s demoralised side who got off to a bright start when James Moran scrambled the ball over the line in the 6th minute after the Westmeath keeper Jason Daly fumbled a shot from Joseph Hagan..

That left Longford leading by 1-2 to 1-0 after Dylan Farrrell fired over the first of his four two-pointer frees with Westmeath raising the initial green flag.

Brandon Kelly shot to the net and four more goals were scored by the dangerous duo Luke Loughlin (2) and Kelly with the prominent Shane Corcoran also hitting the target to put the issue beyond all doubt.

Longford were badly hit by the absence of injured trio Peter Lynn, Oran Kenny and Ryan Moffett, along with the unavailable Ronan Sweeney, and were fighting a losing battle against superior opposition.  

The so influential Ray Connellan (who scored 0-5) and Brian Cooney were in complete control at midfield to ensure a constant supply to the slick and sharp Westmeath attack with no less than 12 different players getting their names on the scoresheet in this demolition job. 

Apart from dropping a few shots short into the arms of the Westmeath keeper, the home county were guilty of shooting a total of 13 wides and major overall improvement will be required for the Tailteann Cup with the Tier 2 Championship starting on May 9/10. 

Westmeath were more economical in registering a total of 8 wides and used their physical strength to great effect throughout this extremely tame local derby with Longford the victims of a number of turnovers as possession was given away. 

Still hurting from their failure to gain promotion from Division 3 of the National League following the last gasp loss against Wexford, there was no panic on this occasion as the young and inexperienced Longford team were torn to shreds by razor sharp Westmeath. 

The Dylan Farrell two-pointers from the frees he converted was the best the losers could offer in the first half nightmare while Daniel Reynolds also got his name on the scoresheet along with the gift goal that was presented to James Moran. 

There was just no stopping Westmeath who began to run riot once they awoke from their early slumber with full-forward Luke Loughlin scoring the second goal in the 10th minute courtesy of a clinical finish. 

Their third goal materialised in the 15th minute as Brandon Kelly blasted the ball into the back of the net from a tight angle and Loughlin’s next goal in the 28th minute was a killer blow. 

Soon after the fifth Westmeath goal from Corcoran was created, the end result of a well-worked move, and another highlight of the first half action was the three points (all from play) by dynamic wing back Matthew Whittaker.

Things did  not get any easier for Longford in the second half as they were outscored 0-16 to 0-8 with Westmeath manager Mark McHugh making a few changes including the withdrawal of star attacker Luke Loughlin who almost completed a hat-trick of goals from a close range point in the 51st minute. 

Moments later Loughlin was replaced as their strong bench was utilised and three of the five substitutes brought on accounted for six points with Conor Dillon (0-3) particularly prominent. 

Three more two-pointers were registered by Longford on the changeover, the first from another well struck Dylan Farrell free in the early stages of the second half along with a brace of trademark kicks by Dessie Reynolds as he ended up with 0-4 to his credit. 

Paddy Moran also landed a point with the last Longford score coming from a Dylan Farrell free in the 68th minute.

Clocking up a total of 30 scores (all from play bar a two-pointer free converted by Sam McCartan in stoppage time) was a magnificent return from a much stronger Westmeath outfit and which certainly pleased their supporters at the game but they are now facing a far tougher task against Meath.

LONGFORD: Eoin McGuinness (Longford Slashers); Oisin O’Toole (Dromard), Patrick Fox (Mullinalaghta St Columba’s), Bryan Masterson (Abbeylara); Joseph Hagan (Dromard), Cian Brady (Abbeylara), Dessie Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s, 0-4, brace of two-pointers from play); Liam Glennon (Carrickedmond), Niall Farrelly (Killoe Emmet Og); James Moran (Killoe Emmet Og, 1-0), Matthew Carey (Clonguish), Matthew Flynn (Clonguish); Dylan Farrell (St Brigid’s Killashee, 0-10, 4 two-pointer frees, 1 free), Paddy Moran (Killoe Emmet Og, 0-1), Daniel Reynolds (Sean Connolly’s, 0-1).

Subs:- Aaron Farrell (Dromard) for M Carey (49 mins); Gavin Farrelly (Killoe Emmet Og) for N Farrelly (52 mins); Aidan McGuire (Carrickedmond) for Daniel Reynolds (58 mins); Iarla O’Sullivan (Rathcline) for J Moran (58 mins); Caolan Lynn (Abbeylara) for L Glennon (64 mins). 

WESTMEATH: Jason Daly; Daniel Scahill, Charlie Drumm, Tadhg Baker; Ronan Wallace (0-1), Shane Allen, Matthew Whittaker (0-3); Brian Cooney (0-1), Ray Connellan (0-5, brace of two-pointers from play); Kevin O’Sullivan (0-1), Sam McCartan (0-2, two-pointer free), Shane Corcoran (1-3); Shane Ormsby, Luke Loughlin (2-2), Brandon Kelly (2-1).

Subs:- Conor Dillon (0-3) for S Ormsby (44 mins); Adam Treanor for S Allen (49 mins); Robbie Forde for L Loughlin (52 mins); Danny McCartan (0-1) for S Corcoran (54 mins); Tom Molloy (0-2) for M Whittaker (61 mins).

Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone).