Longford 0-15 Antrim 1-8:LONGFORD CONSOLIDATED their place at the top of Division Three and are now virtually guaranteed promotion to Division Two following a four-point win over Antrim at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park yesterday.

With the advantage of the wind in the first half, Glenn Ryan’s side built up a commanding 0-9 to 0-3 lead at the break with four points coming from frees converted by Seán McCormack.

After a fine save from Antrim goalkeeper Chris Kerr from Donal McElligott’s fisted effort, the visitors suffered a severe setback in the opening minute of the second half when they were reduced to 14 players after half-forward Michael Armstrong was sent off for a second yellow.

But Antrim gradually closed the gap and four points on the trot – three from Thomas McCann (two frees) – gave them a glimmer of hope. Antrim got back into contention with a goal from a penalty by McCann to leave Longford hanging on to a 0-13 to 1-8 lead. But a brace of further points from impressive centre-half forward Paul Barden sealed the win.

LONGFORD: D Sheridan; D Brady, B Gilleran, D Reilly; CP Smyth, M Quinn, S Mulligan (0-1); B McElvaney (0-2), J Keegan; D Barden, P Barden (0-5), N Mulligan (0-1); D McElligott, B Kavanagh (0-1), S McCormack (0-5, 4f). Subs: J McGivney for J Keegan (53 mins); JJ Matthews for N Mulligan (66 mins).

ANTRIM: C Kerr; K O’Boyle, R Johnstone, M Johnstone; T Scullion, J Crozier, P McBride; M McCann, A Gallagher; T McCann (1-5, 1-0 pen, 3f, ‘45’), C Kelly, M Armstrong; C Murray, M Sweeney (0-1), P Cunningham (0-2, 2f). Subs: J Loughrey for P McBride (h-t); S McDonagh for C Murray (48 mins); M Magill for P Cunningham (48 mins); B Neeson for C Kelly (61 mins).

Referee: P Kneel (Louth).