Late goals see Longford shade dramatic battle with Clare 

Longford's Paddy Fox. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Tailteann Cup Round 2B: Longford 2-17 Clare 1-18 

It was Longford that snatched a shot at Tailteann Cup redemption after just shading a dramatic finale in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg. 

Two late goals in the space of just three minutes through chief threats Dylan Farrell and Oran Kenny were timely jolts for the Leinster side to extend their season and dump newcomers out of the race.

It was a fully merited victory for Mike Solan’s side who already had secured promotion to Division 3 of the National League for 2027. 

On the flip side, it was a sixth home defeat in seven competitive matches for Paul Madden’s side which left them more sick of home rather than homesick in what was previously viewed as a major fortress for the Banner.

Longford set their stall out early as they welcomed the conditions to set the pace from the outset. 

Level twice by the end of the opening quarter, inspirational two-pointers for Oran Kenny and laterally Dylan Farrell ensured that Longford didn’t allow their hosts to get their noses in front at any stage at 0-8 to 0-7 by the break.

That trend would be maintained on the resumption as the experienced Daniel Reynold almost opened the new half with a goal only to clear the crossbar in the 41st minute.

Clare finally ignited their challenge thanks to returning captain Cillian Rouine six minutes later who collected a through ball from Dermot Coughlan to roof to the net at 1-9 to 0-10. 

It should have been the catalyst for the home side to drive on but typifying the malaise that also haunted them against Offaly at the same venue a fortnight earlier, the Banner were at their weakest after scoring. 

And so it proved once more as the unmarked Matthew Flynn immediately repaired the damage with an immediate two-pointer while Kenny and Farrell matched a Mark McInerney ’45 after goalkeeper Eoin McGuinness superbly prevented Cillian Rouine from doubling his goal bounty entering the final quarter at 0-14 to 1-09.

The introduction of talisman Emmet McMahon for his 2026 competitive bow following a cruciate ligament injury appeared to tip the pendulum towards the hosts once more. 

He dissected the posts twice from the left corner amidst a four-point unanswered rally at 1-13 to 0-14 entering the final ten minutes.

However, Clare’s unique ability to shoot themselves in the foot at critical junctures left them searching for remaining toes. 

Having seen Daniel Reynolds flash a goal attempt across the face of goal and wide, a subsequent failure to clear their lines allowed the ball to scramble across the square for Dylan Farrell to toe-poke to the net and reclaim the lead for Longford at 1-14 to 1-13 in the 63rd minute.

Clare’s best player, Aaron Griffin regained full parity, but by now, Longford could smell blood, with the immense Dylan Farrell converting two of the next three points before substitute Aaron Farrell teed up Oran Kenny for the clinching goal in the 66th minute at 2-17 to 1-14.

Clare admirably kept plugging away, with successive two-pointers through Aaron Griffin and Emmet McMahon, slashing the arrears to just two within a minute of that goal. 

However, time ultimately ran out on their fightback as Longford clung to their lead and a place in the final 12 for Monday’s draw.

Scorers for Longford: D Farrell 1-7 (1tp, 2f); O Kenny 1-4 (1f, 1tp); D Reynolds, M Flynn (1tp) 0-2 each; P Moran, A Farrell 0-1 each 

Scorers for Clare: A Griffin 0-7 (1tp); M McInerney (1f, 1’45), E McMahon (1tp) 0-4 each; C Rouine 1-0; D Coughlan, F Kelleher, A Sweeney 0-1 each.

Longford: E McGuinness; P Fox, B Masterson, C Brady; P Lynn, R Sweeney, N Farrelly; O O’Toole, D Duggan; D Reynolds, J Hagan, M Flynn; D Farrell, P Moran, O Kenny.

Subs: A Farrell for Hagan (50), J Moran for Flynn (57), M Carey for Moran (60), C Smith for Sweeney (63, inj).

Clare: T O’Callaghan; M Doherty, R Lanigan, I Ugwueru; A Sweeney, C Rouine, B Rouine; B McNamara, C Brennan; C Meaney, A Griffin, F Kelleher; M McInerney, C Murray, D Coughlan.

Subs: J Rafferty for Murray (21-29, BS), E McMahon for Murray (54), E Cleary for Brennan (67), J Vaughan for Kelleher (67).

Referee: T Murphy (Galway)