Longford return to winning ways with dominant Lory Meagher victory over Leitrim

Longford dominated most of the proceedings. Leitrim scored three goals in the second half; the only blot on this performance.

The home side made a fine start to the game with Cian Darcy scoring their first goal in the second minute as Leitrim scored just two points in the opening quarter.

Points from Cathal Mullane, Paddy Lynam, Reuben Murray and a terrific long-range effort from Evan Tully saw Longford extend their lead to nine points in the 16th minute.

Leitrim then hit three points in a row with Gavin O’Hagan hitting over two frees. Darcy and Tully were again on target while Leitrim keeper Clement Cunniffe scored a superb long-range free. A neat effort from Darcy before the break gave Longford a 1-11 to 0-6 lead at half time.

A pointed free from O’Hagan was the first score of the second half. Buckley cancelled that out before Burgess was on target for Leitrim. Longford then hit form with Buckley, Darcy and Mullane firing over points to stretch their advantage to 11 in the 50th minute.

The Midlanders kept the scoreboard ticking over with Adam Quinn and Oisin Gately putting them ahead by 13 in the 57th minute.

In a two minute spell Leitrim hit 2-1 with Stephen Goldrick and James McNabola grabbing the goals. Longford replied with three points from sharpshooter Darcy.

Both sides scored late goals with Joe Rabbitt raising the green for Longford and McNabola getting his second for Leitrim.

Scorers: Longford - C Darcy 1-09 (2fs), J Rabbitt 1-01, D Buckley 0-3, E Tully, C Mullane, O Gately 0-02 each, A Quinn, P Lynam, R Murray 0-1 each.

Leitrim - J McNabola 2-00, G O’Hagan 0-04 (4fs), S Goldrick 1-00, J Murray 0-02 (1f), C Cunniffe (f), G O’Brien, P Burgess 0-01 each.

Longford: P Burke; Diamaid Caslin, E Allen, S Lancaster; A Quinn, K Murray, E Tully; P Lynam, C Mullane; O Gately, C Flynn, J Rabbitt; R Murray, C Darcy, D Buckley.

Subs: R Courtney for Flynn (43), Darragh Caslin for R Murray (57), R Moore for Buckley (67),K Cox for Quinn (70), D Regan for Allen (70+2)

Leitrim: C Cunniffe; J Fitzgibbon, S Goldrick, P Kenny; P Lenehan, C Beirne, D McGovern; J Murray, G O’Brien;B Goldrick, G O’Hagan, M Feeney; P Burgess, S Markham, C Hackett.

Subs: J McNabola for O’Brien (ht), M O’Brien for Markham (49)

Referee: James Clarke (Cavan)