Leitrim v Longford – Report

Leitrim 0-13
Longford 0-12

The first half of this penultimate round of the league left a lot to be desired as the flow of the game was constantly eroded by free after free.  The wind assisted Longford team made the most of the elements with Francis McGee slotting over six frees for Longford who took a 0-8 to 0-6 lead into the break.

The pace of the second half intensified as Leitrim charged into the Tesco end determined to change the scoreline.  Within six minutes of the restart, Leitrim had leveled through points from substitute Ronan Kennedy and an on form Michael Foley. The teams swapped points through out the half and in the last 10 minutes Leitrims Colm Clarke, fresh on the field. took the ball in defense and soloed 50 yards to strike the ball clean over the bar from distance.  Leitrim fought hard during the remaining time and held out for a deserved win.

The quality of football was not as pleasant to watch as in recent games but this local derby was never going to be easy and Leitrims desire to up the tempo and grind out a result is heartening.

Next up for Leitrim is the last game of the league and a trip to the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick in what promises to be a keenly contested game as Limerick have a chance of promotion and need the points.  In our last visit south Leitrim visitors to Kilmallock in 2008 will remember the circumstances in which the green and gold were robbed of a crucial point to avoid relegation to Division 4 with literally the last kick of the game. 

scorers –
Leitrim: M Foley 0-8 (0-5f), J Glancy 0-2, C Clarke, R Kennedy, D OConnor 0-1 each.
Longford: F McGee 0-7 (0-5f), P Dowd, B McElvaney 0-2 each, R McGoldrick 0-1.

Leitrim: E Lyons; D Beck, J McKeon, D Reynolds; J Glancy (St Marys) G Reynolds, W McKeon; S Canning, T Beirne; P McGuinness, D OConnor, M Foley; P Howard, J Glancy (Glencar/Manor), D Gilhooley.
Subs: R Kennedy for Howard (29), R Mulvey for Gilhooley (56), C Clarke for G Reynolds (63), B Gallagher for J Glancy

Longford: D Sheridan; D Brady, B Gilleran, S Hannon; S Mulligan, E Williams, N Farrell; B McElvaney, A OConnor; D Masterson, F McGee, G DennÓgan; D Reilly, D Keenan, R McGoldrick. Subs: C MimnÓgh for McGoldrick (24), P Kelly for Gilleran (h-t), P Dowd for DennÓgan (h-t), J Martin for Keenan (58), P Foy for Reilly (71).

Referee: R ODonnell (Donegal).

 

 

04-Apr-10 by Brendan Doyle