Dempsey targets silverware breakthrough

WHEN Luke Dempsey took over as Longford manager in the autumn of 2004, he made it clear a Leinster title was his target.

Though fortunes have improved considerably in recent years, the county has fallen well short of that goal so far, but silverware is now just 70 minutes from their grasp as they take on Dublin in the O’Byrne Cup final at Parnell Park tonight.

It would be an encouraging signing post on the road for Dempsey who has seen his side run both Kerry and Dublin close in recent championships. It would also bridge a six-year gap since the county’s last meaningful success – the 2002 Leinster minor title.