O’Brien inspires Longford victory

JOE O’BRIEN provided the inspiration as Longford won a hard-fought game at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Saturday to claim their first win of the campaign.

The Wee County had to play the majority of the second-half with 14 men after full-forward David Kettle was sent off for two yellow cards.

The numerical disadvantage didn’t hinder Louth and they put it up to Longford, who had enough class to seal the win.

Longford dominated the first-half, with O’Brien hitting four points in the opening quarter. Karl Murray and Paddy Walsh pushed them ahead by six on 20 minutes.

John Crosbie and Donal Ryan got points for Louth, but points from O’Brien (3), Walsh and Daniel Connell saw Longford lead by 9 at the break (0-13 to 0-4).

A nice point from Cathal Mullane in the 36th minute extended Longford’s lead to 10 before Kettle walked.

On 59 minutes they were just six behind, before O’Brien and Walsh turned the screw to secure the victory.

SCORERS – Longford: J O’Brien 0-9 (5f), P Walsh 0-5, K Murray 0-2, C Mullane, C Kavanagh, D Connell 0-1 each. Louth: P Lynch 0-4, (3f, 1’65), A McCrave, M Molloy, S Connolly 0-2 each, D Ryan, J Crosbie 0-1 each.

LONGFORD – E Daly 6; A Sheridan 6, D Duggan 7, J Casey 7; B Hanley 8, G Moore 6, S Hannon 6; J O’Brien 8, C Mullane 6; P Walsh 7, P Barden 6, K Murray 7; C Kavanagh 7, D Connell 6, J Leonard 6 Subs: P Hession 6 for G Moore (55), PJ Masterson 6 for J Leonard (53), S O’Brien for C Kavanagh (68), LOUTH – S Hackett 6; M Wallace 5, M Lyons 5, S Kettle 5; A McCrave 5, R Byrne 5, B Minogue

4; D Ryan 7, M Molloy 6; P Lynch 7, S Callan 5, S Connolly 6; G Smyth 6, D Kettle 4, J Crosbie 4 Subs: F Joyce 6 for B Minogue (16), D O’Hanrahan 6 for G Smyth (ht), L Molloy 5 for D O’Hanrahan (55), D Murphy 6 for J Crosbie (32)

REF– T Gleeson (Dublin)