Tailteann Cup Group

Limerick 2-16 Longford 1-16

By Tom Clancy at TUS Gaelic Grounds

Tailteann Cup Group three commenced with a Limerick win in their first ever game in this competition. A goal in either half, one from Cathal Downes and the other, a penalty from Brian Donovan, helped the Treaty oversee a stern Longford test.

It was a game that the home side led for long periods, and despite conceding a late goal from Daniel Reynolds, Limerick held on.

Despite being relegated from Division Two, Mark Fitzgerald’s side played with plenty of confidence, gained with their quality performance against Clare in the Munster semi-final.

Limerick got their first score on five minutes, with Cathal Downes curling beautifully to the top corner, after a nice flicked pass from Colm McSweeney. This made it 1-0 to 0-1, after Ryan Moffett finished a fine team move for the Leinster side.

There was nice scores from Longford’s full-forward, Dylan Farrell, including a free from outside the 45 metre line. He also curled a lovely, long-range effort from play. His overall contribution a positive for Paddy Christie’s men.

Peter Nash and James Naughton (frees) helped Limerick stay in control, while Paul Maher kicked a nice point.

The Treaty led by four, 1-8 to 0-7, at the interval. The visitors inched closer thanks to Oran Kenny early in the second-half, but there disaster struck when they conceded a 45th minute penalty. Amid a goalmouth scramble, Mickey Quinn was adjudged to have fouled the ball inside the square. Brian Donovan – as he did in that penalty shootout victory over Clare last season – dispatched to the net, for a five point buffer.

Longford wouldn’t get much closer until early into six additional minutes. They went direct, with Andrew Farrell now at full-forward. He broke the ball to Reynolds, who smashed high beyond Donal O’Sullivan. It was now 2-15 to 1-16. The final say went to Tommy Griffin, who after a patient build-up, found some space in a crowded Longford defence, to kick Limerick three clear again.

The held on to the relief of the home support.

These sides will face Carlow and Wicklow next weekend – with Limerick targeting a decent run in this exciting competition.

Scorers for Limerick: J Naughton 0-6 (5fs), B Donovan 1-2, C Downes 1-1, P Nash 0-2, C McSweeney, P Maher, H Bourke, C Sheehan (mark), T Griffin 0-1 each.

Scorers for Longford: D Farrell 0-7 (5fs), O Kenny 0-3 (1f), D Reynolds 1-0, L Connerton, J Hagan 0-2 each; R Moffett, K McGann 0-1 each.

Limerick: Donal O’Sullivan (C); Mike Donovan, Seán O’Dea, Brian Fanning; Barry Coleman, Jim Liston, Paul Maher; Cillian Fahy, Cathal Downes; Cian Sheehan, Brian Donovan, Adrian Enright; James Naughton, Colm McSweeney, Peter Nash.

Subs: Hugh Bourke for Liston (46), Tony McCarthy for Donovan (56), Darragh Murray for Enright (63), Tommy Griffin for Downes (68), Davy Lyons for Nash (69), David Connolly for O’Dea (76).

Longford: Patrick Collum; Patrick Fox, Andrew Farrell, Bryan Masterson; Iarla O’Sullivan, Michael Quinn, Peter Lynn; Ryan Moffett, Keelin McGann; Joe Hagan, Dessie Reynolds, Aaron Farrell; Liam Connerton, Dylan Farrell, Oran Kenny.

Subs: Jack Macken for A Farrell (52), Daniel Reynolds for Connerton (62), Peter Foy for Lynn (65).

Referee: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary).