Promotion hopes up in smoke as Longford see off hard charging Carlow

2024 Allianz NFL Division 4 - Round 6

Longford 0-14

Carlow 0-08

Carlow’s promotion hopes were dashed in a wet and windy Glennon Brothers Pearse Park as they fell to a six point defeat to promotion chasing Longford.

In a vital game for both sides the football on show, particularly in the opening half, was poor. Both sides were extremely negative and scores were at a premium in the opening 20 minutes.

There were a few changes to the Carlow team from the one that manager Niall Carew had announced; the big blow was the loss of captain Darragh Foley. His absence was felt particularly when Carlow were left chasing the game.

Mark Hughes opened the scoring for Longford in the second minute. Mikey Bambrick replied for Carlow before a free from Liam Gavin to edge them in front.

Hughes scored his second but it was cancelled out by a fantastic long range free from the boot of Conor Doyle in the 20th minute.

After their slow start Longford got into their stride and kicked four points in a row. Ruairi Harkin with an excellent score to draw them level in the 23rd minute. That was followed by a fantastic effort from Paddy Kiernan before Daniel Reynolds and Hughes kicked over neat scores 0-06 to 0-03.

Despite their good start Carlow struggled for scores after their point from Doyle in the 20th minute and trailed at the break 0-06 to 0-03.

Longford started the second half with a point from Harkin. Jordan Morrissey kicked over a fine point for the visitors in the 40th minute; their first score in over 20 minutes of football.

Darren Gallagher opened his account with a free in the 41st minute. He followed that with a ‘45 before he kicked over a sublime score from a free to extend Longford’s lead to six points in the 45th minute.

Carlow replied with a point from Aaron Amond in the 48th minute. They needed a goal and John Murphy slipped when chasing a loose ball in a dangerous position minutes later.

Morrissey kicked over a fine point in the 58th minute. Carlow enjoyed possession but Longford were back defending in numbers. Bambrick grabbed his second in the 63rd minute but Longford broke with Hughes kicking over his fifth point to leave five between them.

With the clock ticking down Carlow applied pressure as they pressed for a goal. They were denied twice by excellent defending from Liam Hughes and Ryan Moffett in the 70th minute. One minute later Jamie Clarke blasted the ball over the bar when it needed to go under.

Longford finished the game well with points from Mimnagh and Daniel Reynolds.

Longford: Michael Hughes; Patrick Fox, Óisín O’Toole, Liam Hughes; Ruairí Harkin (0-2), Ryan Moffett, Dessie Reynolds; Darren Gallagher (0-3,2f, 1’45), Paddy Kiernan (0-1); Mark Hughes (0-5,1f), Michael Quinn, Joseph Hagan; Daniel Reynolds (0-2), Daniel Mimnagh (0-1), Cathal McCabe.

Subs: Keelin McGann for McCabe (54), Dylan Farrell for Kiernan (63), Daire Duggan for McGann (67), Darragh Finlass for Gallagher (69)

Carlow: Johnny Furey; Colin Byrne, Mark Furey, Paddy McDonnell; Aaron Amond (0-1), Mikey Bambrick (0-2), Colm Hulton; Jordan Morrissey (0-2), Conor Doyle (0-1,1f); Dara Curran, Conor Crowley, John Murphy; Ross Dunphy, Niall Hickey, Liam Gavin (0-1,1f).

Subs: Jamie Clarke (0-1) for Gavin (42), John Phiri for Murphy (60), Shane Clarke for Hickey and Eric Molloy for McDonnell (70)

Referee: Chris Maguire (Clare)

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