Lively Longford recover from early setbacks

Longford recovered from conceding a couple of goals in the early stages to eventually get the better of neighbouring rivals Roscommon in a highly entertaining Allianz FL Division 3 encounter at Brothers Pearse Park.

Roscommon were looking good when Cathal Cregg and Ger Heneghan goaled in the fifth and seventh minutes and the visitors ended up leading by three points at the break, 2-4 to 0-7, with Longford in trouble all over.

The home county fell further behind when Roscommon extended their advantage with a point apiece from midfielders Michael Finneran and Kevin Higgins in the early stages of the second half but Longford finally got their act together to fire over seven points in-a-row — four from Sean McCormack (two frees), a brace from Bernard McElvaney with Michael Quinn also shooting over the bar.

Longford played some excellent football as they established a two-point lead (0-14 to 2-6) and while Roscommon remained in contention with scores from substitutes Karol Mannion and Darran McDermott, Glenn Ryan’s side stayed in front thanks to a point apiece from Donal McElligott and Brian Kavanagh to maintain their unbeaten run in the quest for promotion.

Scorers for Longford: S McCormack 0-7 (4fs), B McElvaney 0-3, P Kelly, B Kavanagh 0-2 each, D McElligott, M Quinn 0-1 each.

Scorers for Roscommon: D Shine 0-3fs, C Cregg, G Heneghan 1-0 each, M Finneran, K Higgins, K Mannion, D McDermott, B Murtagh 0-1 each.

LONGFORD: D Sheridan; D Brady, B Gilleran, D Reilly; C Smyth, M Quinn, S Mulligan; B McElvaney, J Keegan; D Barden, P Barden, P Kelly; S McCormack, B Kavanagh, JJ Matthews.

Subs: P Foy for Keegan (43), D McElligott for Matthews (49).

ROSCOMMON: G Claffey; S McDermott, N Collins, S Ormsby; S Purcell, N Daly, I Kilbride; M Finneran, K Higgins; D Keenan, C Cregg, B Murtagh; C Devaney, G Heneghan, D Shine.

Subs: K Mannion for Cregg (52), D McDermott for Heneghan (54), N Kilroy for Murtagh (63), C Dineen for Keenan (70).

Referee: S McNamee (Tyrone).