Ryan delighted as Longford go up

Longford boss Glenn Ryan was “delighted” with the battling qualities shown by his team who came from behind to earn a draw and promotion in Thurles on Saturday night.

A late exchange of scores left both teams with something to go home with, as Longford secured promotion while Tipperary earned their first point of the league campaign.

“I’m very happy with the commitment shown by our players right through the season and they’ve got what they deserved through promotion,” Ryan said.

Early scores by Barden, JJ Matthews and others put Longford 0-5 to 0-4 ahead on the quarter-hour mark as their quick passing and easy movement made them look worthy favourites.

But they found it hard to shake off a dogged Tipperary side without a manager after last week’s resignation of John Evans.

Their selector, Tommy Toomey, said the result could be “a watershed” for Tipp.

The home side led 0-8 to 0-6 at the break, with Longford only registering one score in the second quarter.

Tipp were in front for most of the second half with Paul Barden and Brian Kavanagh keeping Longford in touch, before late points by that forward duo put the visitors ahead. A 70th minute free, converted by Barry Grogan, gave Tipperary a merited draw.

Scorers for Tipperary: B Grogan 0-7fs, P Acheson, B O’Brien 0-2 each, P Austin 0-1.

Scorers for Longford: B Kavanagh 0-5 (4fs), P Barden 0-4, B McElvaney, JJ Matthews, M Quinn (45) 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: M O’Donnell; A Morrissey, P Codd, C McDonald; R Kiely, R Costigan, T Ryan; B Jones, D Heffernan; A Campbell, H Coghlan, P Acheson; B O’Brien, P Austin, B Grogan. Subs: L Egan for Ryan (20), C Sweeney for Egan (62), D Leahy for Campbell (67), S Ryan for O’Brien (68).

LONGFORD: D Sheridan; D Brady, B Gilleran, D Reilly; C Smyth, M Quinn, S Mulligan; B McElvaney, M Brady; D Barden, P Barden, J McGivney; D McElligott; B Kavanagh, JJ Matthews. Subs: P Foy for Mulligan (42), N Farrell for M Brady (56), B McKeon for Barden (70).

Referee: R Moloney (Limerick).