Allianz National League Rd 2 – Longford v Leitrim
Longford 2-10 Leitrim 0-6
A cracking goal from Paul Barden with 26 minutes gone in the first half put Longford on the road to a comfortable victory over neighbours Leitrim at Pearse Park.
Prior to the goal, Leitrim led by 0-3 to 0-2 with points from Michael Foley, James Glancy and Ciaran Duignan. Longford scored from frees by Francis McGee and Brian KavanÓgh.
Further points from wing back Noel Farrell (free) and McGee — the latter landing a fine strike from play — left Longford 1-4 to 0-3 in front at the break.
When Leitrim right half-back Stephen Feeney surged forward to fire over a point midway through the second half, just a goal separated the sides, but Longfords class and conditioning came to the fore as they dominated the final quarter.
Luke Dempseys slick side added another 1-5 to their tally with KavanÓgh and McGee notching two points apiece, while corner-back Dermot Brady joined the attack to fist over the bar in the closing minutes of the game.
The second Longford goal in the 64th minute was the result of a well-worked move, second half substitute Liam Keenan playing the ball into McGee who planted his shot into the corner of the net to send Leitrim towards a 10-point losing margin.
scorers — Longford: F McGee 1-4 (3f); B KavanÓgh 0-3 (1f); P Barden 1-0; N Farrell 0-2 (2f); D Brady 0-1. Leitrim: M Foley 0-2; J Glancy, C Duignan, S Feeney, E Mulligan (f), 0-1 each.
LONGFORD — D Sheridan; D Brady, D Masterson, D Reilly; S Mulligan, A OConnor, N Farrell; P Dowd, E Farrell; D Farrell, K Mulligan, D Barden; B KavanÓgh, P Barden, F McGee. Subs: C Conefrey for Masterson (40), L Keenan for E Farrell (44), P Berry for D Farrell (50), J Martin for KavanÓgh (67), E Williams for S Mulligan (67).
LEITRIM — nÓgill; D Reynolds, C Regan, M McGuinness; S Feeney, B McWeeney, S Foley; G McCloskey, M Duignan; D Duignan, E Mulligan, M Foley; J Glancy, C Duignan, D Maxwell. Subs: D Brennan for Glancy (24), G Reynolds for D Duignan (ht), P McGuinness for C Regan (61), D OConnor for C Duignan (63), C Kennedy for D Reynolds (67).
Ref– S Doyle (Wexford).
18-Feb-08 by Irish Independant.ie
