Longford retain Division 3 status in terrific win over Tipperary
Dessie Reynolds goal the turning point in the relegation play-off
Longford . . . 1-13 Tipperary . . . 0-9
Retaining the Division 3 status in the National Football League was the priority for Longford manager Padraic Davis and that aim was achieved in the relegation play-off against the reigning Munster champions.
Tipperary appeared to be getting on top when wing back Padraic Looram surged forward to shoot over the bar in the 48th minute to leave the sides deadlocked at 0-8 apiece but Longford then broke in a quick counter-attack moments later to score the decisive only goal.
Rian Brady sent the impressive Dessie Reynolds racing through and the Ballinalee man shot past the opposing keeper Evan Comerford in finding the net from a few yards out.
That proved to be a shattering blow for a disappointing Tipperary outfit who were missing a few regulars and Longford pushed on in fairly emphatic fashion to win by the comfortable margin of seven points in the finish.
Longford were also understrength as they were forced to field without injured forwards Daniel Mimnagh, Barry McKeon and Liam Connerton while a one match suspension ruled out defender Gary Rogers.
This fine success was a big boost in the build up to the Leinster Championship first round clash against Carlow at O’Connor Park, Tullamore on Sunday June 27 with the winners advancing to play Meath in the quarter-final a week later.
LONGFORD: Paddy Collum; Patrick Fox, Andrew Farrell, Enda Macken; Colm P Smyth, Michael Quinn, Iarla O’Sullivan; Kevin Diffley, Darren Gallagher (0-3, all frees); Dessie Reynolds (1-2), David McGivney (0-1), Joseph Hagan (0-2); Robbie Smyth, Rian Brady (0-3, two frees), Larry Moran.
Subs:- Darragh Doherty (0-1) for L Moran (half-time); Oran Kenny (0-1) for R Smyth (52 mins); Donal McElligott for D Reynolds (65 mins); Peter Lynn for J Hagan (70 mins).
TIPPERARY: Evan Comerford; Shane O’Connell, Alan Campbell, Colm O’Shaughnessy; Padraic Looram (0-1), Kevin Fahey (0-1), Daire Brennan; Steven O’Brien (0-1), Paudie Feehan (0-1); Conor Bowe, Jack Kennedy, Emmet Moloney; Michael Quinlivan, Conor Sweeney (0-4, all frees), Philip Ryan.
Subs:- James Feehan for A Campbell (injured, 18 mins); Brian Fox for P Ryan (43 mins); Shane Foley for S O’Brien (53 mins); Colman Kennedy for D Brennan (54 mins); Sean O’Connor (0-1, free) for C Bowe; Mark O’Meara for P Looram (62 mins); Liam Boland for M Quinlivan (66 mins).
Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois).