Second-half showing gets Longford home semi

Longford 1-9 Wicklow 1-5: A strong second-half performance saw Longford secure a home semi-final with O’Byrne Cup champions Dublin on Sunday.

Wicklow started brightly, Paddy Byrne scoring the game’s first goal, but Longford’s James McGivney netted in the 26th minute.

Chris Murphy and Ciaran Fitzgerald (free) edged Wicklow back in front but Longford defender Diarmuid Masterson drew his side level with an excellent point (1-3 apiece).

Longford dominated thereafter with scores from Donie McElligott, Darren Gallagher, and Robbie Smyth. Wicklow managed just two points in the second half.

Scorers for Longford:

J McGivney 1-0, F McGee, D McElligott 0-2 each, D Masterson, CP Smyth, D Gallagher, R Smyth, P McKeon 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wicklow:

P Byrne 1-2 (2f), R Finn 0-1 (f), C Fitzgerald (f), C Murphy 0-1 each.

LONGFORD:

C Farrell; D Masterson (P McGee 55), B Gilleran (C Shields 62), CP Smyth; S Doyle (D McElligott 35), F Battrim, P Foy; M Brady, B Farrell (D Gallagher ht); A Dalton, J McGivney, B Kavanagh (P McKeon 61); B McKeon (R Smyth ht), F McGee, D Brady.

WICKLOW:

R Lambert; C Hyland, R O’Brien, K Murphy (P Higgins 35); D Healy (J Crowe 5), P McLoughlin, C Murphy; R Finn, A McLoughlin; D Hayden, S Kelly, M Kenny (D Woods 53); P Byrne, C Davis (E Doyle 50), C Fitzgerald (N Gaffney 39).

Referee:

D Fedigan (Louth)