Leitrim produced storming display against the odds to stun Longford

Nobody said being a Leitrim supporter is easy but on a day when few expected it, Leitrim produced an outstanding display of intelligent and intensive attacking football in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada to blow a hole in Longford’s Allianz NFL Division 4 promotion chances.

On a day when the strong wind looked set to have a decisive say in proceedings, Steven Poacher’s team ripped up the script as they turned a five point lead forged thanks mainly to four two-pointers and two Killian Gaffey fifties into a ten point winning margin thanks to a fabulous display of committed and intensive football in the second half.

With Leitrim setting the tone in the physical exchanges, Longford may have enjoyed quite a bit of possession but they were never able to relax, rushing their shots under pressure and feeling the heat of turnovers on their own kickouts that led a succession of scores as Poacher’s troops surged to victory.

Longford would have been on a cusp of promotion had they prevailed in Pairc Sean but once Leitrim got the bit between their teeth in the second half, it never looked as if they were trouble a superb Leitrim outfit who got their match-ups right on the button and played with a confidence their league position belies.

It was a hell of a turnaround from the last two League games - an eight point loss at home to visitors Antrim followed by a devastating 1-18 to 0-8 reverse at the hands of Tipperary but not only did Leitrim defy their form, they registered their highest tally of the entire campaign so far in a brilliant performance.

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Yet even with the joy of victory, there is cause for regret - with Tipperary getting a hammering from Wicklow, the cost of the loss in Clonmel means that Steven Poacher’s team are still very much on the outside, looking in as six teams are locked in the battle for two promotion spots.

Longford can still seal promotion with a win over Wicklow, in fact the winner there is guaranteed a place in Division 3 next year while Antrim, another team burdened with regrets, are back in the mix after they hammered Waterford - the Saffrons face London in Ruislip and the Exiles can seal promotion with a win.

There is a path for Leitrim to snatch second place but second place to be decided on scoring difference. Leitrim require a big, big win over a faltering Carlow in Netwatch Cullen Park next Sunday and a small win for Antrim against London all while hoping that Tipperary don’t score a massive win over Waterford as they could jump over everybody.

With some reports giving an incorrect scoreline from Sunday’s game, Longford scored 1-15, Leitrim actually have a scoring difference of minus 5. Carlow have plus 14, Wicklow plus 26, London minus two, Longford plus 5, Antrim plus 13 and Tipperary on zero, it leaves Leitrim needing a series of miracles for promotion to happen.

It wasn't all good news, however, and Steven Poacher and many Leitrim supporters will fret over the condition of Barry McNulty's ankle after he suffered an injury in the final minute of normal time. The Glencar Manorhamilton man, who top scored with 1-4 including two two-point frees, had to be helped from the field and everyone will await news on his condition with a bit of trepidation given his importance to the team.

With both teams missing early chances, Longford made an early impression against the wind with Peter Lynn raiding from defence and Oran Kenny finishing a strong run from the wing into the centre to give the visitors an early two point lead after four minutes.

That lead was wiped out when Barry McNulty thumped a 55 yard two point free over the Longford crossbar a minute later while Mark Diffley saw a close range shot blocked before the ball was won back and worked to Riordan O’Rourke for an excellent two point score and a lead that the Green & Gold would not relinquish.

The Leitrim team that defeated Longford in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada Picture: Willie Donnellan

Matthew Carey seemed to mesmerise the Leitrim defence and he kept feinting passes only to keep soloing through, firing over from close range but a strong run and point from captain Ryan O’Rourke restored the two point gap after ten minutes before Killian Gaffey landed a successful fifty after 15 minutes.

The first big moment came on 17 minutes, Leitrim looked for Barry McNulty to land another two point free but the effort fell short only for Gavin Reynolds to show great awareness and an even better fist to divert the wayward shot to the Longford net.

Longford’s response was equally impressive - Joseph Hagan fired over a good point before an errant Gaffey kickout was intercepted. Hagan’s shot was brilliantly saved by Gaffey but with Carey and Kenny exchanging passes, Longford hit back when their centre-forward drilled the ball to the Leitrim net.

Crucially, Leitrim landed the next score and it was a big one as a three-man breach allowed Barry McNulty to convert a two point free. Oran Kenny and Gaffey (another 50) swapped before the home side finally looked as if they were making good use of the wind, Keith Keegan landing a point after a kickout was overturned.

Riordan O’Rourke added to a lively hard working display with a point after Longford’s Ryan Moffatt had a tight over-carrying call go against him. But Longford weren’t lying down with Carey from a free and Dessie Reynolds landing points to leave Leitrim with a 1-12 to 1-7 halftime lead that didn’t look enough given the strength of the wind.

Maybe Longford thought that too because Leitrim came out an energised team with the Leinster team never getting to the pitch of the contest. Barry McNulty won an errant throw-in that saw the ball blow over to his side of the contest before Conor Quinn was released for a point after 20 seconds.

Longford’s Liam Glennon left a shot short but Gaffey had a free blocked and McNulty shot wide but Fergal McLoughlin showed a good turn of pace as he cut through to fire a powerful shot just over the bar three minutes into the second half. From that kickout, Leitrim turned over and quickly found Paul Honeyman for a good point.

Leitrim went nine points clear when Ryan O’Rourke pointed, Joseph Hagan getting Longford’s first score of the second half after six minutes, Leitrim now leading by double scores.

Leitrim almost had a second goal when Fergal McLoughlin’s run again caused consternation but keeper Eoin McGuinness made a good close range save. Longford missed two good chances and Leitrim made them pay in somewhat bizarre circumstances, McNulty charging through, his low shot somehow going through the legs of the unfortunate McGuinness and into the net.

Longford were creating chances but just not taking them and midway through the second half, it was impossible to see Leitrim getting caught as Ryan O’Rourke and Jack Kelly, after another bad Longford kickout was turned over, added points to leave Leitrim 13 points clear.

Barry McNulty receives treatment for an ankle injury Picture: Willie Donnellan

Incredibly, Longford starting to generate momentum as they reeled off five unanswered points from sub Paddy Moran, a huge Dessie Reynolds two pointer, Peter Lynn and Carey during a spell in which McGuinness redeemed his earlier with a close range save to deny Ryan O’Rourke a goal.

A third Leitrim goal did come, again with a bit of fortune as a high Fergal McLoughlin shot got caught up in the wind but with Barry McNulty and Gavin Reynolds contesting the dropping ball, the ball came to the St Mary’s Kiltoghert clubman who finished for his second goal of the game.

Riordan O’Rourke capped off a strong showing with a fine point but the day entered sourly when Barry McNulty went off with an ankle injury, the Leitrim talisman helped from the field and heading straight into the dressing room.

With subs flooding on from both sides, the game became disjointed but Oisin Kenny landed a late Longford two pointer that may be vital if the battle for promotion comes down to scoring difference.

LEITRIM

Scorers: Barry McNulty 1-4; 4f; Gavin Reynolds 2-0;  Riordan O’Rourke 0-4, tp; Ryan O’Rourke 0-3; Killian Gaffey (2 45); Keith Keegan (tp) 0-2 each; Paul Honeyman, Conor Quinn, Jack Kelly & Fergal McLoughlin 0-1 each

Team: Killian Gaffey; Keith Keegan, Conor Reynolds, Eanna McNamara, Seán Harkin; Fergal McLoughlin, Mark Diffley, Eoin McLoughlin, Conor Quinn, Barry McNulty; Fergal McLoughlin, Paul Honeyman, Riordan O'Rourke; Jack Kelly, Ryan O'Rourke, Gavin Reynolds. Subs: Oisin McLoughlin for Honeyman (53); Cillian McGloin for Keegan (64); Peter Prior, Tom Plunkett & Kieran Clancy for McNulty, F McLoughlin & McNamara (73)

LONGFORD

Scorers: Matthew Carey 1-3, 2f; Oran Kenny 0-4, tp; Dessie Reynolds 0-3, tp; Peter Lynn & Joseph Hagan 0-2 each; Paddy Moran 0-1

Team: Eoin McGuinness; Paddy Fox, Ryan Moffett, Byran Masterson; Peter Lynn, Oisin O'Toole, Dessie Reynolds; Liam Glennon, Ronan Sweeney; James Moran, Matthew Carey, Dylan Farrell; Mathew Flynn, Joseph Hagan, Oran Kenny. Subs: Paddy Moran for Hagan (43); Aidan McGuire & Cian Brady for Flynn & Farrell (64); Ronan Bleakley for Moffett (68)

Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford)