Although the result was the same as last year, the pattern of this drawn match was considerably different with an inexperienced Longford taking the fight to Wexford and nearly getting to the finishing line with their narrow lead intact. Wexford showed great spirit in chasing the deficit in awful conditions with Rory Stafford having the stomach to go for that long-range equaliser.
Team Selections
Longford: J J Reilly; M Mulleady, D Ledwith, A N Other; A N Other, F McNamee, T Smullen; D Hannify, E Barden; D Farrell, C Hannify, P Barden; T Drake, N Sheridan, P Davis.
Wexford: To be announced.
Key Confrontation
There were a number of fine performances in New Ross last week. Wexford wing back Leigh O'Brien gave a trademark display of shooting and intuition and beside him Rory Stafford was a secure presence but Longford's challenge depended on containing the Wexford forwards. They didn't manage this as a unit but debutant corner back Martin Mulleady made a name for himself by marking Jason Lawlor out of the game and making a good fist of quietening Scott Doran when he was moved on to Wexford's star attacker. His example will need to be followed by his defensive colleagues tomorrow and he will need to sustain his own momentum.
View From The Camps
"If I had been told on Friday that it was going to be a draw, I'd have settled for that but we came so close to winning. It was probably inexperience that we didn't, there's so many young fellas on the team."
- Michael McCormack (Longford manager).
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