Longford battle back and go top

LUKE DEMPSEY’S new-look Longford side went top of the National Football League Division 2A table when they came from behind to beat Fermanagh in this re-fixed game in front of 3,000 at Pearse Park.

Last year’s All-Ireland semi-finalists went four points clear following fine scores from Eamon Maguire (3), Mark Little (2) and Colm Bradley (2).

But Longford kept in touch with Pádraic Davis scores from a 45 and a brilliantly struck sideline kick to trail by 0-8 to 0-6 at the break, getting on level terms with points from Davis (free) and substitute Trevor Smullen.

Fermanagh regained the lead via Tom Brewster (free) and Sean Burns, but points from Kevin Mulligan and Niall Sheridan levelled the sides.

In the 61st minute Fermanagh failed to convert a penalty and points from Jamesie Martin and Davis earned Longford the win.

Scorers: Longford: P Davis 0-6 (3 frees, 45, sideline kick, 1 play), P Dowd, M Connor, K Mulligan, N Sheridan, T Smullen, J Martin 0-1 each. Fermanagh: E Maguire 0-3, M Little, C Bradley 0-2 each, Rory Gallagher (free), T Brewster (free), S Burns 0-1 each.

LONGFORD: D Sheridan; D Brady, D Corcoran, E Ledwith; A O’Connor, D Glennon, J Nally; P O’Hara, B McElvaney; J Martin, P Dowd, K Mulligan; P Davis, N Sheridan, M Connor. Subs: T Smullen for Dowd (h-t), S Mulligan for Nally (h-t), E Williams for Ledwith (inj, 40 mins), M Lennon for Corcoran (49).

FERMANAGH: N Tinney; N Bogue, B Owens, R McCluskey; H Brady, S Doherty, R Johnston; S McDermott, M Murphy; M Little, T Brewster, E Maguire; C Bradley, Rory Gallagher, Raymond Gallagher. Subs: S Maguire for Raymond Gallagher (33 mins), S Burns for McDermott (48), J Sherry for Rory Gallagher (59), D O’Reilly for Brady (62).

Referee: P McGovern (Galway).