Stroll for Longford

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.

After Carlow corner-forward Daryl Roberts’ goal midway through the first half edged his side ahead, Longford recovered well and finished strongly with points from Robbie Smyth, James Noonan and James McGivney to hold a 0-8 to 1-3 lead at the break.

Longford took control on the restart with Mark Hughes converting three frees in quick succession before the same player was fouled for the penalty in the 47th minute which goalkeeper Paddy Collum converted. Moments later things got even worse for Carlow when midfielder Mark Fitzgerald was sent-off after receiving a straight red card. Longford also ended up with 14 players after Dylan Quinn was dismissed for a second yellow card in the closing stages.