Ryan: Lessons learned earlier are now being put into practice

An impressive tonnage of heavy hitters will weigh down the draw for the second round of All-Ireland this morning but few will be thankful if their next port of call proves to be Longford’s Pearse Park.

The midland county has fashioned an enviable reputation on their home turf this last six or so years with a succession of scalps accumulated and sides like Kerry and Dublin all too thankful to escape with follicles intact.

“I don’t know what the rule is, whether we are entitled to get another one here or not, but if we get it we will take it,” said manager Glenn Ryan. “There’s nothing we can do about the draw. We will take it as it happens. These lads have shown remarkable resilience.