Allianz NFL Division 3
Longford 3-17 Antrim 3-12
Antrim travelled to Longford on Sunday with their place in division 3 already secured for another year following their spectacular win over Cavan at Corrigan Park last day out and manager Andy McEntee gave starting debuts to a number of players.
Ronan Hanna came in to replace Michael Byrne in goals while Barry McCormick, Cathal Hynds and Seamus McGarry were given starting births and Jack Dowling and Patrick McCormick retained their places from the Cavan game.
Longford got off to a great start to the game and were ahead by eight points after 13 minutes of play. Keelin McGann got his side’s first goal in the 13th minute but Colm McLarnon replied with a goal for Antrim in their first real attack of the game.
The Saffrons had been off the pace up to this point but Ruairí McCann followed with Antrim’s second goal two minutes later to cut the gap to two points. It failed to have the desired affect however and it was Longford who finished the half on the front foot with full-forward Daire O’Brien hitting over three marks and a fine point from play to leave his side 1-13 to 2-04 ahead at the break
Longford struck for their second in the 40th minute when Darragh Doherty picked up possession about 40 metres out from goal and soloed through before hitting a terrific strike past Ronan Hanna.
Dylan Farrell fired over a free in the 50th minute to leave seven between the sides but Antrim responded and Patrick McCormick fired to the net in the 52nd minute for a splendid finish to bring his side back into contention.
Patrick McBride followed with a point to cut the deficit to three in the 53rd minute and it looked like the visitors were gaining momentum but it failed to materialise and Longford came storming back with Doherty and Darren Gallagher (free) firing over points before McGann struck for Longford’s third goal in the 63rd minute.
To their credit Antrim refused to throw in the towel and Odhrán Eastwood, McCann and Peter Healy replied with points to leave four between the sides entering stoppage time.
Dylan Farrell replied with Longford’s final point before Antrim were afforded one last chance deep in injury time but Ruairi McCann’s effort was blocked and tipped over the bar for a point and the last score of the game.
Antrim will now turn their attentions to the forthcoming Ulster championship opener against Armagh in two weeks-time and while the result in Longford was disappointing, the management will be happy that they could give game time to a number of fringe players while the return of Ryan Murray from injury is a big plus.
Scorers – Longford: K McGann 2-2; D Doherty 1-2; D O’Brien (3m), D Farrell (4f, ‘45) 0-4 each; O Kenny 0-2f, P Fox, F Sheridan, D Gallagher (f) 0-1 each.
Antrim: R McCann 1-4 (0-4f); P McCormick, C McLarnon 1-1 each; O Eastwood, R Murray (2f) 0-2 each; P McBride, P Healy 0-1 each.
Longford – M Hughes 6; P Fox 6, A Farrell 7, Byran Masterson 5; P Lynn 6, M Quinn 5, P Foy 7; T McNevin 5, F Sheridan 5; K McGann 8, D Doherty 7, O Kenny 5, A Farrell 7; D O’Brien 8, D Farrell 7. Subs: J Kiernan for Sheridan (49), R Harkin for Quinn (53), D Gallagher for Kenny (61), C Keenan for Doherty (63), Daniel Reynolds for O’Brien (65)
Antrim – R Hanna ; E McCabe , D Lynch , J McAuley ; P McCormick , B McCormick , M Jordan ; C McLarnon, J Dowling ; C Hynds , R McCann , P McBride ; D McEnhill , S McGarry , O Eastwood . Subs: P Finnegan for Hynds, R Murray for McGarry and P Healy for McCabe (h-t), L Mulholland for Hanna (47), J Finnegan for Lynch (51)
Ref – N McKenna (Monaghan)