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.

Tipperary 3-17 Longford 0-18: It’s now two from four in the race for promotion from Division 3 of the Allianz Football League, according to Tipperary manager Liam Kearns.

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.

Longford 2-13 Monaghan 1-13: Well, Monaghan can hardly say they weren’t forewarned. Twelve years ago, Denis Connerton brought an unfancied Longford outfit to Clones and plundered Monaghan’s home in the only previous championship meeting between these sides.

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.

Clare 1-20 Longford 1-9: Clare’s promotion aspirations are still on track after a merited 11-point win over visitors Longford at Cusack Park, Ennis yesterday.

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.

Kildare 1-12 Longford 0-12

Sigerson Cup semi-final: UCC 1-20 Athlone IT 1-9

Sigerson Cup quarter-final: Athlone IT 0-11 CIT 1-4

Athlone IT 1-13 IT Carlow 0-6

Westmeath 1-22 Athlone IT 0-13

Jason Ryan hailed the strength in depth of his squad as Wexford scored six of the game’s last seven points to snatch victory over Longford after more than 140 minutes of action.

The rise of Longford football continued on Saturday night in Croke Park.

With nothing at stake, as both counties had already clinched promotion, they rested their regulars.

Longford boss Glenn Ryan was “delighted” with the battling qualities shown by his team who came from behind to earn a draw and promotion in Thurles on Saturday night.

Longford registered their fifth league win in-a-row to consolidate their place at the top of the Division 3 table and are now virtually guaranteed promotion to Division 2.

Louth put up a spirited display to beat Longford in last night’s Leinster U21FC quarter-final at Haggardstown.

Longford maintained their 100% record with a swagger at ice cold Kingspan/Breffni Park on Saturday night.

Paul Kelly’s cracking 27th minute goal proved the foundation for Longford’s impressive victory against a poor Offaly side in this Allianz Football League Division 3 opening round tie at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park yesterday.

JACK BRADY and sub Donal Smith struck second-half goals as DCU, without several key players, advanced to the O’Byrne Cup semi-final at Ballymahon yesterday.

LONGFORD produced a strong final quarter to claim victory over Athlone IT in this O’Byrne Cup tie at Ballymahon.

Longford 0-15 Tyrone 1-17

O’MOORE PARK was a scene of delight as much as it was a vista of dejection last night as Wexford celebrated their first Leinster U21 FC title at the fifth time of asking.

A STRONG finish to both halves enabled Longford to bridge a five-year gap when edging out Westmeath — who finished with 14 men — in last night’s Leinster Under-21 FC semi-final clash at Páirc Tailteann.

AFTER ousting reigning All-Ireland champions Dublin, Meath were dumped out of the Leinster U21 FC quarter-final at Navan last night.

LONGFORD will have home advantage in their Leinster MFC quarter-final with Westmeath on May 22 after this deserved qualifier victory at Pearse Park on Saturday.