Smyth snatches crucial goal as Longford sink Lake County

AFTER losing to Kildare in the opening round, title-holders Longford made the most of their second chance in getting the better of neighbouring rivals Westmeath in the Leinster Minor Football Championship Qualifier Round 1 game at Pearse Park, and will have home advantage again when they take on Wicklow on Tuesday evening next with a place in the quarter-final at stake.

While six points separated the sides in the finish, this was a lot tighter contest than the final scoreline would appear to suggest and after trailing by 0-6 to 0-3 in the early stages of the second half, Westmeath got back on level terms with three quick scores in a row through Lorcan Dolan, David McCormack and Robbie Henshaw.

The visitors then kicked a couple of costly wides and Longford proceeded to regain the upper hand with a brace of points from frees converted by James McGivney before Robbie Smyth got the only goal in the 46th minute from a well-struck penalty after Meath referee David Gough ruled that Barry McKeon was fouled in the square.