Longford go the extra mile

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

The home side were boosted with a goal from Mark Battersby that dipped under the bar, but that turned out to be the Royals’ only score of the half which Longford led 0-8 to 1-0.

Longford resumed strongly, with the first three points but Meath came back with two frees by Andrew Tormey which appeared to be winning scores but Robbie Smith sent the tie to extra-time and they held their nerve to seal a memorable win thereafter.

Scorers for Longford: P Gill, JJ Matthews, R Smith (2f) 0-4 each, J Keegan 0-3, M Mulvey, J McGivney 0-1 each.

Scorers for Meath: A Tormey 1-4 (1-0p, 4f), M Battersby 1-0, C Lenehan, D Smyth, P Gilsenan, M O’Sullivan, S Dalton 0-1 each.

LONGFORD: P Columb; J Carroll, F Battrim, A Quinn; S Mahon, C Smith, D Cooney; K Diffley, J Keegan; P McCormack, P Gill, P Reynolds; J McGivney, D Gallagher, JJ Matthews.

Subs: R Smith for Reynolds (17), M Mulvey for Gallagher (28), F Reilly for Mahon (50), P Devine for Carroll (56), D Gallagher for Keegan (77), C Keegan for Matthews (80).

MEATH: C McHugh; C McPartland, S Curran, W Ryan; D Keogan, C Lenehan, M O’Sullivan; B Menton, J Owens; P Gilsenan, D Smyth, D Larkin; A Tormey, N Murphy, M Battersby.

Subs: S Dalton for Larkin (39), S Gillespie for Owens (43), W Carry for Murphy ((52), C Devereaux for Battersby (56), S Tobin for Smyth (et).

Referee: P Knell (Louth).