Longford come from behind to beat neighbours Leitrim to Lory Meagher Cup

Longford’s Martin Farrell celebrates at the final whistle with Johnny Casey, Reuben Murray and Ronan Courtney. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Lory Meagher Cup Final: Longford 1-18 Leitrim 1-13

Captain Reuben Murray goal 20 minutes from the end was crucial as Longford came from behind to defeat neighbours Leitrim to claim their third Lory Meagher Cup and first in 12 years.

Murray finished with 1-3 with former Limerick senior Cathal Mullane providing three points. Centre-back Martin Farrell and Maitiú O'Donohoe also shone for the winners.

Leitrim led by two at the break but shot nine second-half wides as Longford reeled them in to seal promotion to the Nickey Rackard Cup for 2027, having already bagged promotion from Division 4 of the league. 

Longford reeled off a string of points to follow Murray's goal as they won with plenty to spare despite a Joe Murray goal for Leitrim right at the end.

Longford scorers: Reuben Murray 1-3 (0-1f), Martin Farrell 0-4 (0-4f), Maitiú O'Donohoe 0-3, Cathal Mullane 0-3, Paddy Lynam 0-2, Joe Rabbitt 0-1, Ronan Courtney 0-1, David Buckley 0-1.

Leitrim scorers: Colm Canning 0-4 (0-1f, 0-1 65), Joe Murray 1-0, Philip Burgess 0-3, Paul Mulligan 0-2, Gavin O'Hagan 0-2, James McNabola 0-1, Dhani Keane 0-1.

LONGFORD: Johnny Maher; Ciarán McNally, Seán Lancaster, James Connell; Johnny Casey, Martin Farrell, Evan Tully; Reuben Murray, Paddy Lynam; Maitiú O'Donohoe, Ronan Courtney, Cathal Mullane; Joe Rabbitt, David Buckley, Micheál Mulcahy.

Subs: Eamonn Allen for Courtney 33, Seán Tiernan for O'Donohoe 44, Stephen Murray for Rabbitt 47, Niall Hawes for Murray 68, Kealan Cox for McNally 72.

LEITRIM: Clement Cunniffe; Paul Lenehan, Conor Hackett, Pearse Kenny; Niall Crowe, Martin Feeney, Joe Murray; Philip Burgess, Stpehen Goldrick; Paul Mulligan, James McNabola, Kevin Clerkin; Dhani Keane, Colm Canning, Gavin O'Hagan.

Subs: Mark McHugh for Clerkin 61.

Referee: Conor Daly (Kildare).