Making 23 substitutions throughout an entertaining and at times tense O'Byrne Cup semi-final encounter, the Dessie Farrell era ultimately got off to a losing start for Dublin.

Longford booked their place in the O’Byrne Cup semi-final for the fourth year in a row with six points to spare over Carlow in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.

Two counties with their championship season on the line but only one that seemed in any way interested in extending their campaign as Longford cruised to victory over an insipid Carlow side

The postponed Round 6 tie between Westmeath and Louth will take place next weekend, rather than midweek ensuring the final will not take place in Croke Park next weekend.

Down are top of Division 3 of the Allianz Football League heading into the final round of group games, while Derry continued their unbeaten run in Division 4 this afternoon.

Magnificent Longford’s long wait for a Leinster championship win finally ended when they created a massive shock with a thoroughly deserved victory over 14-man Meath before an attendance of 5,591 at Pearse Park yesterday.

Sean O’Shea produced another outstanding performance in a memorable week but it was another Kerryman who delivered the dramatic winner.

Meath 1-19

Longford impressed throughout as they began their All-Ireland campaign, with a well-earned eight-point SFC Round 1 qualifier win against 13 men Louth at Drogheda's Gaelic Grounds.

Four goals in six minutes of devastation sent Longford packing and set Laois up for a Leinster quarter-final clash with bitter rivals Kildare.

Longford 2-11 Offaly 0-9: Second-half goals from Liam Connerton and Darren Gallagher helped Longford record an eight-point win over Offaly in this Round-2 O’Byrne Cup clash in Newtowncashel.

Defending champions Clonmel got their Munster Junior League campaign off to a winning start with a victory over one of their main challengers, Bandon.

Longford 1-6 Cork 2-9: From limp to lively, Cork reached the last 12 of the All-Ireland SFC — the first time they have done so without reaching the Munster final since that glorious season of 2010.

Cork progressed to Round 4A of the All-Ireland qualifiers this afternoon largely thanks to the half-time introductions of Colm O’Neill and Pa Kelly.

Longford have upset the form guide with a Qualifier win over a vulnerable Down side at Pairc Esler, striking two killer goals in extra-time to book their place in Monday’s Round 2 draw.

Longford 0-13 Westmeath 0-11: Longford consolidated their position in Division 3 and relegated their neighbours in the process; Westmeath’s third consecutive demotion.

Eoghan Cormican says Cian O'Neill will deliver promotion for the Lilywhites.

Longford 1-9 Wicklow 1-5: A strong second-half performance saw Longford secure a home semi-final with O’Byrne Cup champions Dublin on Sunday.

LANSDOWNE 23 YOUNG MUNSTER 19: Lansdowne came through a huge test of their Ulster Bank League title credentials as they edged out Young Munster 23-19 in an absorbing Division 1A semi-final that went to extra-time on Saturday.

Kildare 1-12 Longford 0-12

Kildare failed to score from the 42nd minute onwards against Longford but did enough to claim their first Cadbury Leinster Under-21 Football title since 2008, while Cavan and Donegal advanced to an Ulster final meeting on April 17.

Dolphin 23 Young Munster 10

UNLESS you’re considered among Leinster’s big guns, provincial titles are hard to come in the east — just ask Louth.

IN a season of shock results this one might just slip under the radar, but Longford’s minor footballers achievement in claiming a Leinster title deserves tremendous credit.

Not every Leinster and Munster rugby hero can get to Croke Park tomorrow. Some – such as their junior counterparts – will be wading through the mud to keep their passion for the amateur game burning brightly. DIARMUID O’FLYNN met some of them.