Wicklow escape

GAELIC GAMES/Wicklow 2-9 Longford 1-12:MAYO MAN Austin O'Malley lined out for Wicklow for the first time yesterday at Aughrim, and he made his mark with three points. Wicklow led at the break 1-5 to 0-6 and were boosted further with an early goal by Jacko Dalton for a 2-5 to 0-7 lead. A goal by Bernard McElvanney brought Longford level on 2-8 to 1-11 on 61 minutes. Leighton Glynn and Seán McCormack swapped points and in the closing minutes McCormack pulled a free wide for Longford. Wicklow's Paddy Dalton was sent off on two yellow cards late on.

WICKLOW: J Flynn; P Higgins, S Kelly, C Hyland; P Dalton, B McGrath, D Hayden; R Finn, J Stafford; T Hannon (0-2, 0-1 free), A O’Malley (0-3), JP Dalton (1-0); P Earls, S Furlong (0-3, 0-2 frees), L Glynn (1-1). Subs: P McWalter for R Finn, D Odlum for T Hannon.

LONGFORD: D Sheridan; D Brady, B Gilleran, D Reilly; S Mulligan (0-1), D Masterson, N Farrell; M Brady (0-1), B McElvanney (1-1); D Barden (0-1), P Barden (0-2), N Mulligan; D McElligott, P Dowd, S McCormack (0-6, 0-4 frees). Subs: K Duffy for M Masterson, P Foy for N Farrell, JJ Matthews for P Dowd.

Referee: P Kneel (Louth).