Longford hold off Westmeath to keep O'Byrne Cup defence on track

Paddy Christie’s side survived a frantic finish.

Dessie Reynolds, centre, supported by Longford teammate Oisin O'Toole, right, pops off a pass under pressure from Westmeath players Kevin O'Sullivan, left, and Danny McCartan at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park in Longford. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Longford 0-9 Westmeath 0-7 

Holders Longford had to withstand late pressure from Westmeath as they advanced to the semi-final of the Dioralyte O’Byrne Cup.

Paddy Christie’s side dominated most of the game and were four points ahead in the 54th minute but Westmeath came back at Longford late on and this lead for a frantic final few minutes.

It was typical early pre-season fare with mistakes, no intensity and poor finishing. Longford opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a pointed free from Darren Gallagher. Points from Eoghan McCabe and Kevin O’Sulivan (mark) edged Westmeath in front in the ninth minute.

Westmeath keeper Jack Connaughton saved from Cathal McCabe in the 20th minute; Dylan Farrell picked the loose ball up to fire over the bar. Paddy Fox, Gallagher (free) and Daniel Mimanagh added points to put Longford ahead by three in the 29th minute.

The Lake County cut the gap to one going in at the break with points form O’Sullivan and Shane Corcoran.

Early points were traded between Gallagher (free) and Shane Allen. Mimnagh and Gallagher (free) then scored excellent points to put three between the sides after 43 minutes of play.

For all their possession Longford failed to add to their scores with poor wides and shot selection. A point from Daniel Reynolds in the 54th minute extended Longford’s lead to four points.

After 25 minutes of play without a score, Westmeath got a point through McCabe; his second of the game. Jack Duncan followed up with a fine point to cut the gap to two.

The final 10 minutes were the most exciting of this encounter as Westmeath tried to get back into the game and piled the pressure on Longford but the holders held firm.

Scorers for Longford - D Gallagher 0-4 (4f), D Mimnagh 0-2, Dylan Farrell, P Fox, Daniel Reynolds 0-1 each.

Scorers for Westmeath - E McCabe, K O’Sullivan (1m) 0-2 each, S Corcoran, S Allen, D McCartan 0-1 each 

Longford: M Hughes; B O’Farrell, O O’Toole, D Finlass; R Harkin, P Fox, J Shiels; R Moffett, D Galagher; Daniel Reynolds, D Mimnagh, Dylan Farrell; J Matthews, B Peters, C McCabe.

Subs: Dessie Reynolds for Shiels (41), D Duggan for Fox (58), Diarmuid Farrell for Finlass (59) D Lynch for Gallagher (66), Kevin Kavanagh for Dessie Reynolds (70) 

Westmeath: J Connaughton; A Keane, C Drumm, C Nolan; D Lowry, S Allen, T Baker; E McCabe, D Murtagh; B Cooney, D McCartan, K O’Sullivan; A Neary, S Corcoran, L Daly.

Subs: J Macken for Cooney (ht), S Hanley for Neary (41), J Duncan for Corcoran (53), D Hall for Lowry (58), J Mulvihill for Baker (66), P Cartan for Hanley (70) 

Referee: Kevin Williamson (Offaly)