Longford 3-6 Cavan 0-12:GOALS AT crucial stages gave Glenn Ryan's new-look Longford victory in a tight local derby at Pearse Park yesterday.
Cavan led 0-4 to 0-1 before Shane Doyle flicked home Longford’s first goal in the 21st minute to leave the sides level. Longford added points by Padraig Shanley, Willie Skelly (two) and Francis McGee to lead 1-5 to 0-4 at the break. Cavan made a flying start to the second half with three points on the trot from Gerald Pierson, but Longford regained their grip on the game with Padraig Shanley’s goal in the 42nd minute.
Five points from Martin Reilly (three frees), Gerald Pierson and substitute Seánie Johnston edged Cavan 0-12 to 2-5 ahead, but Colm Flynn’s 61st-minute goal and a late pointed free from Francis McGee sealed Longford’s victory.
LONGFORD: S Watters; D Brady, N Farrell, P Foy; D Masterson, E Williams, K Smyth; C Flynn (1-0), K Mulligan; S Doyle (1-0), W Skelly (0-2, one free), D Morgan; F McGee (0-2), P Shanley (1-1), D Keenan (0-1). Subs: P Berry for D Morgan (24 mins), J McEntire for D Brady (41 mins, yellow), D Farrell for S Doyle (52 mins), A O’Connor for W Skelly (64 mins), P Reynolds for C Flynn (70 mins), C Mimnagh for D Keenan (70 mins).
CAVAN: F Reilly; M Brides, P Reilly, M Cahill; P Brady, R Flanagan, J Crowe; N Walsh, C Galligan; E O’Reilly (0-1), R Cullivan, M McKeever; G Pierson (0-6, four frees), D Givney, M Reilly (0-4, four frees). Subs: S Johnston (0-1) for E O’Reilly (45 mins), L Reilly for D Givney (58 mins), C Mackey for M McKeever, L Mulvey for N Walsh (65 mins).
Referee: Michael Duffy (Sligo).
