McNulty free seals late late victory as Leitrim confirm Tailteann Cup knockout football with derby victory

The hoodoo is broken as Leitrim finally got the better of their Longford neighbours after a titanic struggle on Sunday in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Barry McNulty’s injury time free giving the Green & Gold a deserved Tailteann Cup victory in scorching conditions.

McNulty’s match winner came after Longford had seemingly grabbed a draw thanks to Mark Hughes’ huge score, the second time the home side had drawn level in the closing stages but an inspired Leitrim managed to drag themselves across the line for a victory that assured them of at least a home preliminary quarter-final.

Goals in either half from a Ryan O’Rourke penalty and Barry McNulty proved crucial to keep a dogged Longford at bay, with the home side hitting an incredible 17 points but never threatening the goal that they needed to upset Andy Moran’s men.

The victory means that regardless of the final round clash against Kildare, Leitrim are into the knockout stages of the Tailteann Cup. A win over Kildare would mean an automatic quarter-final place while a draw or a loss would see Leitrim face either New York or a team who finishes third in their group.

The win over Longford also comes with the prize of home advantage for the preliminary quarter final if that is where Leitrim ends up but more importantly, it is a tidy bit of revenge for the Green & Gold after their six point defeat at the hands of the midlanders earlier this season.

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In fact, it ends a run of defeats at the hands of the Longford men in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park going back to the early nineties as Leitrim displayed every bit of their resilience and inner self-belief to get across the line in a game that nearly got away from them.

It was a poignant afternoon for Ryan & Riordan O’Rourke who lined out after the passing of their grandfather Vincent, both Fenagh St Caillins men delivering big performances in the circumstances with Ryan hitting 1-1 and Riordan weighing in with two points.

Nevin O’Donnell was first to hit a wide, his shot knocked out for a fifty and first to score from the resulting 50 inside the first two minutes. Dessie Reynolds cut in on the run to fire over a fine point and after two missed chances from Barry McNulty, Jayson Matthews' high dropping effort from the corner got over the bar for Longford on ten minutes.

The Leitrim team who defeated Longford in the second round of the Tailteann Cup Picture: Willie Donnellan

Longford’s Daniel Reynolds attempted to palm a long crossfield pass to a teammate but it was intercepted, Leitrim breaking for Darragh Rooney to fire over a wonderful point. Longford hit back immediately when Aaron Farrell scored a wonderful effort from inside the 21 yard line out in the left hand corner.

The tit for tat continued when Barry McNulty came in from the wing to the centre of the pitch to fire over from about 40 yards but a fabulous Aaron Farrell pass found Daniel Reynolds for the lead point for Longford on 15 minutes.

Both teams missed chances, Longford marginally more wasteful but after Farrell dropped a shot into Nevin O’Donnell’s arms, Leitrim struck the first decisive blow, an intercepted pass seeing Barry McNulty breaking clear. Dessie Reynolds’ despairing tackle resulted in a penalty that was neatly tucked away by Ryan O’Rourke.

From the kickout, Tom Prior turned the ball over and got it to Ryan O’Rourke who spun and blasted from distance, a 1-1 hit for Leitrim in the space of a minute! 

Darren Gallagher and Nevin O’Donnell traded points from placed balls, the Leitrim man from a fifty, but Bryan Masterson burst through to score on 29 minutes. Both sides missed good chances, Leitrim cursing their luck when Donal Wrynn bore down on goal but was caught in two minds and then dispossessed by Patrick Fox and Ryan Moffett.

Dessie Reynolds finished off a great move after Radek Oberwan was turned over in possession but Leitrim hit back with a good move, Riordan O’Rourke firing over in added time before Daniel Reynolds saw his ambitious effort hit the post and fall the right side to leave Leitrim lead 1-6 to 0-8 at the break.

The Longford team who were defeated in the second round of the Tailteann Cup Picture: Willie Donnellan

Jack Flynn came on at halftime for Oberwan but it was Longford sub Cathal McCabe who opened the scoring from a mark. But it was then that Leitrim took control of the contest, Barry McNulty first firing over a good point before Leitrim claimed loudly for a free that wasn’t forthcoming.

However, it paid off as Longford turned over the ball, Riordan O’Rourke shot fell short but Barry McNulty fielded and turned to blast home from close range, leaving Leitrim four points clear.

Darren Gallagher (free) and Riordan O’Rourke swapped points but Longford were not about to cave with the impressive Dessie Reynolds driving through the centre to score before Darren Gallagher curled a good effort between the sticks after 49 minutes.

Leitrim were now missing chances, Pearce Dolan and Aidan Flynn off target and Longford closed the gap to a point thanks to another Gallagher free after 56 minutes. But Leitrim’s response was deadly and hugely impressive as Jack Foley’s strong run was rewarded with a fine point while Barry McNulty stretched the lead to three from a free out on the stand sideline.

Longford, however, wouldn’t back down - Aaron Farrell and Dessie Reynolds both landed excellent points and with less than three minutes of normal time remaining, Reynolds broke through tackles to fire over from 35 yards, tying the scores.

But as they had done all day, Leitrim responded - Tom Prior went on a strong solo run, broke a tackle and kicked a wonderful score almost immediately. Barry McNulty and sub Evan Sweeney both hit wides, misses that seemed very costly when Mark Hughes scored a huge effort over two minutes into added time to level the scores.

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But Leitrim were not for budging - they went down the field, Darragh Rooney’s strong run ended illegally and Barry McNulty curled over what would be the winner.

Longford did have one late chance to equalise, sub Keelin McGann breaking through a tackle with referee Devenney indicating advantage but when the Longford man shot wide, the Mayo official opted to blow the long whistle rather than give the free to the delight of Leitrim fans.

LONGFORD

Scorers: Dessie Reynolds 0-5; Darren Gallagher 0-4, 3f; Bryan Masterson, Cathal McCabe (M), Jayson Matthews & Mark Hughes 0-1 each

Team: Paddy Collum; Bryan Masterson, Oisin O’Toole, Patrick Fox; Joseph Hagan, Ryan Moffett, Dessie Reynolds ; Paddy Kiernan, Darren Gallagher; Daniel Mimnagh, Aaron Farrell, Daniel Reynolds; Cathal McCabe, Dylan Farrell Jayson Matthews. Subs: Enda Macken for D Farrell (31); Mark Hughes for D Mimnagh (43); Keelin McGann for Kiernan (49); Jack Macken for Matthews (56); Ciaran Scanlon for Daniel Reynolds (67)

LEITRIM

Scorers: Barry McNulty 1-4, 2f; Ryan O’Rourke 1-1, 1 pen; Nevin O’Donnell (2 50) & Riordan O’Rourke 0-2 each; Jack Foley, Tom Prior & Darragh Rooney 0-1 each

Team: Nevin O’Donnell; Aidan Flynn, Mark Diffley, Cathal McHugh; Kieran Clancy, Radek Oberwan, Jack Foley; Jack Gilheany, Pearce Dolan; Barry McNulty, Ryan O’Rourke, Donal Wrynn; Riordan O’Rourke, Darragh Rooney, Tom Prior. Subs: Jack Flynn for Oberwan (HT); Jamie McGreal for K Clancy (49); Evan Sweeney for Riordan O’Rourke (57); Conor Reynolds for C McHugh (61); Ben Guckian for Dolan (65)

Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo)