Longford find something extra to end Down’s miserable year

Longford 2-24 Down 3-17

Goals from substitutes Séamus Hannon and Mark Hughes in extra-time saw Longford book their place in round 2B of the qualifiers after a pulsating game in Newry.

Longford have earned a reputation for springing surprises in the qualifiers; two years ago it was Derry, on Saturday it was Down. It ended a miserable year for the Ulster side who failed to win a game this year.

The midlanders dominated the first half and should have been further ahead at the break as they rcorded eight wides to Down’s one.

Twice in the opening quarter they were ahead by two and stretched the lead to four in the 20th minute with Brian Kavanagh and Robbie Smyth getting important scores.

Down cut the gap with a goal from Conor Maginn in the 21st minute but instead of building on that it was Longford who responded well.

Diarmuid Masterson, Smyth (free), James McGivney (two) extended their lead to five in the 31st minute. A pointed free from Donal O’Hare cut the gap to four at the break.

Were resurgent

The Ulster side were resurgent in the opening stages of the second half and were level in the 39th minute with a goal from O’Hare and a point from Maginn. They took the lead in the 44th minute with a fine goal from O’Hare.

It could’ve been over for Longford as a contest in the 46th minute but their goalkeeper Paddy Collum got a vital touch to Maginn’s effort.

The game ebbed and flowed after that with both sides taking the lead.

As the final minutes ticked down Longford went ahead with a point from the influential Michael Quinn but after Michael Brady was sent off for a second yellow the excellent O’Hare hit over a free right at the end to send the contest to extra-time.

LONGFORD: P Collum; C Farrelly, B Gilleran, D Brady; D McElligott, M Quinn (0-4), D Masterson (0-3); M Brady, D Gallagher; D Reynolds (0-1), J McGivney (0-3), B McKeon (0-2); R Smyth (0-4,1f), B Kavanagh (0-6, 5fs), B O'Farrell.

Subs: P McGee for B Gilleran (48 mins), L Connerton for D Gallagher (55 mins), S Hannon (1-1) for B McKeon (60 mins), B Farrell for D Reynolds (67) mins, M Hughes (1-0) for J McGivney (BC, 80+1 mins), D McGivney for M Quinn (89 mins).

DOWN: M Reid; C McGovern, G McGovern, D O'Hagan; D McKibbin, A Carr, D O'Hanlon; P Turley, K McKernan; R Mallon (0-4), M Poland (0-1), J Murphy; C Maginn (1-1), D O'Hare (2-9,8f), B O'Hagan (0-1).

Subs: G Collins for D McKibbin (43 mins), M McKay for K McKernan (53 mins), D Turley for J Murphy (54 mins), S Dornan (0-1) for B O'Hagan (63 mins), H Brown for M McKay (BC , 78 mins), McKernan for Maginn (84 mins), B McArdle for A Carr (89 mins).

Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry).