A remarkable spree that yielded five goals inside eight second-half minutes comfortably secured Finn Harps' place in the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup.
In a total transition from a fairly evenly contested first half that saw the sides go in on level terms at 1-1, Harps simply upped the tempo to blow a hapless Longford away once captain Declan Boyle opened the floodgates to put them back in front with a headed goal from a Jonathan Minnock corner in the 59th minute.
Two goals each from strikers James Mulligan and Mike Turner inside six minutes ended the game before substitute Kevin McHugh added the seventh 10 minutes from time to leave Longford well beaten and somewhat bemused.
Played in flurries of driving sleet, both sides had swapped half chances before Harps took the lead on seven minutes, thanks in no small way to the very slippery conditions.
Longford goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien couldn't hold a low shot from Turner as he slid outside his area. And Johnny Kenny's curling left-foot chip ended up in the net courtesy of the strong breeze.
Longford enjoyed much of the ball but could have found themselves several goals behind before Vinny Perth, from a deep cross from Weslie Byrne, put them level five minutes before the break.
But it all fell into place for Harps as they utterly dominated the second half.
FINN HARPS: McKenna; Mohan, D Boyle, Dykes, Minnock; Kenny, Tierney, Harkin, McGrenaghan; Mulligan, Turner. Subs: McHugh, McGranaghan and Scanlon for Kenny, Dykes and Mohan (79 mins.).
LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; Kenny, Thompson, McNally, Byrne; Gavin, V Perth, Kelly, Zellor; O'Connor, Parsons. Subs: Creedon for Kelly (22 mins), Malone and Farrell for O'Connor and Gavin (both 69 mins).
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin)
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