Offaly hold on to edge out Longford

GAA: Leinster Senior Football Championship - Round One

Offaly 1-12 Longford 1-11

A late point from substitute Bernard Allen proved crucial as Offaly defeated midland rivals Longford today (Sunday), thereby advancing to the Leinster SFC quarter-finals.

In a game that had some superb scores, good play and mistakes, the sides were level five times at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park. Longford had chances near the end to bring the game to extra-time, but Offaly held firm.

Despite playing against a strong wind in the opening half, the Faithful County made a great start to the game. Jamie Evans got their first point in the fourth minute. Two minutes later, Ruairí McNamee passed to Peter Cunningham who fired an excellent shot to the net.

Then Longford took control of the game for a spell with points from Darren Gallagher (two), Joseph Hagan (three) and Dylan Farrell to lead by two in the 28th minute.

Offaly were level going in at the break (1-4 to 0-7) thanks to scores from Nigel Dunne and McNamee.

Just like the first half Offaly started the second half well and opened up a two-point lead. Longford turned the game in their advantage in the 43rd minute when the superb Gallagher fisted the ball to the net; it was a move that he had started by winning possession in the middle of the park.

Offaly, though, were level again on 49 minutes when Cian Farrell hit over a mark. It really was end to end stuff. The lead changed twice in the space of one minute before another Hagan point drew the sides level for a fifth time in the 65th minute.

Cunningham and Allen edged Offaly ahead by two in the 69th minute. After Longford’s Andrew Farrell fisted his effort wide, Iarla O’Sullivan cut the gap to one in the third minute of stoppage time. Longford couldn’t get an equaliser as Offaly held on for a meeting with Meath.

Scorers - Offaly: P Cunningham 1-1; C Farrell 0-3 (1 mark); J Evans and N Dunne (1f) 0-2 each; L Pearson, R McNamee, D Hyland (f) and B Allen 0-1 each. Longford: D Gallagher 1-4 (0-2fs); J Hagan 0-3; I O’Sullivan, M Quinn, D Reynolds and D Farrell 0-1 each.

Offaly: Ian Duffy; Ciaran Donnelly, Declan Hogan, David Dempsey; Rory Egan, Peter Cunningham, Lee Pearson; Jack McEvoy, Conor McNamee; Cian Farrell, Ruairi McNamee, Anton Sullivan; Dylan Hyland, Nigel Dunne, Jamie Evans. Subs: Bernard Allen for Evans (47 mins), Joe Maher for Dunne (59), Bill Carroll for Hyland (60), Cian Donohoe for Donnelly (70+2), Jack Bryant for R McNamee (70+4).

Longford: Patrick Collum, Patrick Fox, Andrew Farrell, Bryan Masterson; Iarla O'Sullivan, Mickey Quinn, Ryan Moffett; Jack Macken, Darren Gallagher; Keelin McGann, Joe Hagan, Dessie Reynolds; Daniel Mimnagh, Daire O’Brien, Dylan Farrell. Subs: Oran Kenny for McGann and Aaron Farrell for O’Brien (HT), Tadhg McNevin for Macken (47), Liam Connerton for Mimnagh (52), D Doherty for Kenny (65)

Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone).