Kavanagh Longford’s ace
Longford were the better team throughout but, Antrim had a chance to grab a dramatic draw in additional time only for CJ McGourty’s free to drift wide from a tight angle.
Longford made a bright start and had opened up a four-point lead by the eighth minute. They were unlucky not to grab a goal in the sixth minute but Barry McKeon’s powerful shot clipped the crossbar and went over for a point.
Antrim came storming back and levelled in the 15th and 23rd minutes. Longford went two up in the 29th minute but Declan Lynch cut the gap to one on the stroke of half-time.
Just like the first half, Longford started the second well. Twice in the early stages they were three up but Antrim came to within one in the 57th minute. Kavanagh hit over his third free in the 63rd minute but two Michael Pollock frees drew Antrim level in the 69th minute.
In the final minute Francie McGee was fouled and Kavanagh duly obliged with the free to edge Longford in front. Right at the end Antrim had a chance to claim a point when Tony Scullion was fouled but McGourty was unlucky with his free.
Scorers for Longford: B Kavanagh 0-4, (4f), P McKeon 0-3, (3f), F McGee, B McKeon 0-2 each, B Gilleran, R McEntire, S McCormack 0-1 each.
Scorers for Antrim: CJ McGourty 0-5, (3f), R Murray, M Pollock (2f) 0-3each, D Lynch, C Murray 0-1 each
LONGFORD: P Collum; D Brady, B O’Farrell, P Foy; T Gallagher (A Rowan 52), D Masterson, C Farrelly; B McKeon (P Gill 59), B Gilleran; F McGee, P McKeon (M Quinn 61), R McEntire; R McNerney, B Kavanagh, S McCormack (M Hughes 67).
ANTRIM: C Kerr; J Laverty, C Burke, T Scullion; D Lynch, T Crozier, J Carron (M Kane 60); M McCann, S McVeigh (B Hasson 55); C Murray CJ McGourty, R Murray; T McCann (P McBride 44), O Gallagher (M Fitzpatrick 45), M Pollock.
Referee: Shane Hehir (Galway).
