Dowd’s injury-time goal lifts Longford hopes

LONGFORD boosted their chances of Division Three survival thanks to a dramatic win at blustery Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock yesterday.

An injury-time goal from midfielder Paddy Dowd helped the visitors secure the precious points at the end of a disappointing clash.

Even after Dowd’s 71st-minute goal, Limerick had the chance to earn a draw, but Ger Collins’ stinging shot for goal was brilliantly pushed over the crossbar by goalkeeper Damien Sheridan.

The defeat catapults Limerick into a relegation dogfight, although the Shannonsiders do have a game in hand on the other counties hoping to avoid the drop.

Longford scored four unanswered points in the opening 26 minutes, but a goal from Limerick’s Seanie Buckley in the 27th minute ensured the sides retired level at half-time, (0-4 to 1-1).

Within a minute of the re-start Declan Farrell flicked in a tonic goal for the visitors and when Luke Dempsey’s side bagged a second goal through Peter Foy in the 53rd minute, their lead had grown to six points, (2-5 to 1-2).

Limerick rallied in the last 10 minutes, Buckley bagging a second goal and points from Ger Collins, Ian Ryan and Michael Crowley bringing the sides level, but Dowd’s winner secured Longford’s second win of the campaign.

Scorers for Longford: D Farrell (1-2), P Dowd, P Foy (1-0) each, F McGee (0-2, 0-1 ‘45, 0-1 free), N Farrell (free), B Kavanagh (0-1) each.

Scorers for Limerick: S Buckley (2-0), I Ryan (both frees), G Collins (0-2) each, J Murphy, M Crowley (0-1) each.

LONGFORD: D Sheridan; P MacDonnell, N Farrell, C Conefrey; D Reilly, A O’Connor, E Williams; L Keenan, P Dowd; P Foy, P Barden, P Berry; F McGee, D Farrell, B Kavanagh.

Subs: S Philips for P Barden (60), C Casey for S Philips (67).

LIMERICK: M Jones; D Carroll, J McCarthy, S Gallagher; A Lane, S Lavin, L O’Dwyer; J Marsh, J Galvin; G Collins, J Ryan, S Buckley; J Murphy, D Phelan, I Ryan.

Subs: J Cooke for J Marsh (29), S Kelly for J Ryan (h/t), P Browne for A Lane (40), M Crowley for D Phelan (48), C O’Cruali for J Murphy (58).

Referee: A Mangan (Kerry).