Juniors strike late
TWO late goals - the second of which came from Daniel O’Connell in the last minute - proved decisive as Louth’s juniors claimed a smash-and-grab win in their Leinster quarter-final clash in Pearse Park last Wednesday.
This was a real rollercoaster of a match and hosts Longford dominated the early exchanges to open up a 0-4 to 0-2 advantage, with Colm Giggins and O’Connell on target from play for the Wee County.
Louth then hit a purple patch mid-way through the half and four successive points - all from play - from Giggins, Niall Sharkey and Conal O’Hanlon (2) turned a two-point deficit into a lead by the 20th minute.
However, just as the Reds were building up a head of steam, Longford assumed control once more and a similar burst of scores saw them adjourn at the interval 0-8 to 0-6 in front.
The topsy-turvy nature of this tie continued on the resumption and first to grab the game by the scruff of the neck were Louth who posted another unanswered fourpoint haul.
O’Hanlon registered his third of the game and two frees from William Woods had the Wee County ahead by the minimum before Sharkey struck to make it 0-10 to 0-8.
Just as they did in the first half, though, the away side somehow relinquished their grip on proceedings and Longford kicked on with five successive points to lead 0-13 to 0-10 at the 50-minute mark.
Louth’s resilience was being tested to the hilt, but O’Connell’s midfield partner Robbie Brodigan renewed their hopes with a score from play and substitute Mark Hoey - only on the field a few minutes - then found the net to put the Reds back in front - 1-11 to 0-13.
Longford weren’t about to roll over, though, and two points in the space of 30 seconds from the excellent Rian Brady (to take his tally to 0-7) and Killian Farrell saw the midlanders edge in front in the 58th minute.
Could Louth produce one last response?
The answer was emphatic as the ever-alert O’Connell bounced on a mistake by Longford keeper Colm Farrell to rifle to the net for what proved to be the winning score.
That was a hammer blow for Longford and indeed football in general in the county as their seniors and minors had also crashed out of the Leinster Championship the previous weekend.
Louth, who this year are under the guidance of Ollie McDonnell and selectors Aaron Hoey and John Neary, can now look forward to a home semi-final against Wicklow on Wednesday week.
LOUTH: Robert Sansom (St Joseph’s), Barry Reynolds (Oliver Plunkett’s), Niall McCabe (St Fechin’s), Kieran Lenaghan (Naomh Fionnbarra), Niall Sharkey (Glyde Rangers) 0-2, David Quigley (Roche Emmets), Michael McDonald (Clan na Gael), Robbie Brodigan (Oliver Plunkett’s) 0-1, Daniel O’Connell (Roche Emmets) 1-1,
Colm Giggins (Stabannon Parnells) 0-2, Kevin Hearty (St Bride’s), Ciaran Sheridan (Glyde Rangers), Cian Callan (St Kevin’s), Conal O’Hanlon (St Joseph’s) 0-3, William Woods (Naomh Fionnbarra) 0-2(fs). Subs: Barry O’Hare for Callan, Mark Hoey (St Bride’s) 1-0 for Lenaghan, Aaron O’Brien for Hearty, Conor Early (Oliver Plunkett’s) for Sheridan, Cillian Kirk (St Bride’s), Peter Nixon (Dundalk Young Irelands).
LONGFORD: Colm Farrell (Longford Slashers); Liam Hughes (Killoe Emmet Og) 0-1, Conor Farrell (Cashel), Fergal Battrim (Abbeylara); Cian Brady (Abbeylara), Padraig McCormack (KIlloe Emmet Og) 0-1, Russell Brady (Abbeylara); Aidan McElligott (Mullinalaghta St Columba’s), Shane Kenny (Rathcline, 0-2, 1f); Joe Kelly (Ballymahon) 0-2, Nigel Rabbitte (Abbeylara), Ruairi Harkin (Colmcille); Rian Brady (Mullinalaghta St Columba’s) 0-7 (2f), Killian Farrell (Ardagh/Moydow) 0-1, Daryl Carrigy (Ardagh/Moydow) 0-1. Subs: Paddy Kiernan (Killoe Emmet Og) for R Harkin (24min); Peter Lynn (Young Grattans) for N Rabbitte (43): Enda Dalton (St Judes, Dublin) for D Carrigy (58). REFEREE: Alan Coyne (Westmeath)