Dramatic fightback by Longford to claim victory

Longford 2-12 Down 0-14

Down were seemingly coasting to victory going into the last quarter of the Gerry Reilly Leinster U16 FT Quarter Final played in Oldcastle on Saturday evening (11 August) and were leading Longford by 0-13 to 0-6.  Longford had reduced the gap with points from Richard Prior and a Jack Duggan pointed free before Longford’s ‘keeper, Conor Skelly saved Jack Murtagh’s penalty shot. This raised Longford’s spirits and they recorded 3 unanswered points to leave 2 points between the sides. John McGovern pointed to extend Down’s lead again as full time approached, but all the pressure now was coming from Longford, which resulted with a Cathal Gilligan’s goal to have the sides level.

Extra time loomed , but it was Longford that produced the dramatic end with a point and the sealing victory goal by Jack Duggan ( after a pass from ‘Man of the match’ Keelan McGann).

Down had led at the break by 0-7 to 0-5 and could have been much further ahead but for the Longford ‘keeper, Conor Skelly, with some terrific saves.

Longford’s Keelan McGann was presented with the ‘Man of the match’ award by Martin Blake (Briody Bedding Limited-Sponsor of the tournament)

Longford now play the winners of the Cavan/Dublin Q/Final in the Semi-Final

Scorers for Longford: Jack Duggan (1-7,5f), Cathal Gilligan (1-1), Sean McCormack, Aaron Smyth, Richard Prior & Keelan McGann (0-1) Each

Scorers for Down: Jack Murtagh & John McGovern(3f) (0-5) each, Joe O’Boyle (0-2), Luke Mallon & Sean Og McCusker (0-1) each

Ref: Margaret Farrelly (Cavan)