Limerick's youth go that extra distance

Limerick 1-21 Longford 1-15:AN INDUCTION of youth helped Limerick overcome a tired-looking Longford to progress to the third round of the qualifiers. Maurice Horan introduced three substitutes that produceD 1-6 between them, while the likes of Eoghan O'Connor and Seamus O'Carroll also shone in the victory.

Longford led by three points in the 63rd minute when a save by Limerick goalkeeper Brian Scanlon proved key. Johnny McCarthy pointed at the other end from the next attack and the momentum then seemed to shift. Points from Ian Ryan and Mike Sheehan brought the sides level, only for Seán McCormack to restore Longford’s lead in the third minute of injury time before Derry O’Connor levelled matters.

There was only one team in it in extra-time, with Limerick’s Derry O’Connor sealing the victory with his 90th-minute goal. Longford they had Declan Reilly and David Barden sent off in the second period of extra-time.

Limerick Manager Maurice Horan afterwards agreed Scanlon’s save was critical. “Brian’s having a good season for us,” he said. “The goalies work very hard in training with their goalkeeping coaches and it paid off there.”

LIMERICK:B Scanlon (0-1, 45); A Lane, J McCarthy (0-1), L O'Dwyer; J Riordan, S Lucey (0-1), P Ranahan; J Donovan, S Buckley (0-2); J O'Meara, S Kelly (0-1), P Browne; E O'Connor (0-3), I Ryan (0-4, three frees), S O'Carroll (0-1). Subs: M Sheehan (0-1) for Lane (40 mins), I Corbett (0-3) for O'Dwyer (54 mins), D Quaid for Lucey (65 mins), B O'Brien for Donovan (66 mins, D O'Connor (1-2) for Kelly (69 mins), E Barry for O'Meara (76 mins).

LONGFORD:D Sheridan; D Brady, B Gilleran, D Reilly; CP Smyth (own point), M Quinn, S Mulligan; B McElvaney, J Keegan; D McElligott, P Barden (0-2), N Mulligan (1-0); F McGee (0-4), B Kavanagh, S McCormack (0-8, four frees). Subs: D Barden (0-1) for Keegan, P McCormack for McElligott (both h-t), P Foy for McElvaney (59 mins), N Farrell for Smyth (70 mins), JJ Matthews for Kavanagh (79 mins), McElvaney for N Mulligan (84 mins).

Referee: P Hughes (Armagh).