Realistic Conerton

THEY say you should never go back, but Longford manager Denis Conerton (pictured below) could be described ‘as a devil for punishment’ as he is in the third year of his second spell as county senior boss.

The Rathcline clubman previously served a three-year term between 2002 and 2004 before returning to the post for a second spell in 2016.

During his latest stint in the role the midlanders have taken the scalp of Down and Monaghan in the qualifiers in 2016 and Louth last ast year.

Their Leinster - championship record is less impressive, though, and d they bowed d out at the opening enhurdle in 2017 when losing to Offaly Of2-21 to 2-13. Their last home tie in the provincial campaign was back in 2014 and it also ended in defeat, going down to Wexford 1-15 to 1-13 in a quarter-final pairing.

‘I was in this job for three years in the early 2000s and then left, but I came back again and this is my third year again,’ Connerton said ahead of Sunday’s clash.

‘When I wasn’t doing it I missed it, but it is very time consuming.g That’s all part of the job and if you didn’t like it, thethen you just wouldnwouldn’t do it and I can ssay that I’m realreally looking forforward to thithis championship onchampionship opener eropener against Meath. Me‘ ‘It’s our firsfirst home gamgame in the LeinstLeinster Championship pionshipChampionship for a few years and ththat’s a real