Carlow defeat footballers in opening league game

07.02.10 | Carlow 1-10 Longford 0-10 | By Irish Independent

Carlow were holding a slim 0-7 to 0-6 lead when a high centre from midfielder Brendan Murphy was met by his namesake John, who rose above Longford goalkeeper Damien Sheridan to raise the green flag.

It was very much score for score throughout a scrappy opening half in which Carlow had more of the play but missed too many scoring chances.

In that opening half Carlow benefited from the moving of Sean Gannon from the half-forwards to midfield, where the Eire Og clubman had a pronounced influence.

At half time the sides were tied 0-4 each and Carlow then edged 1-7 to 0-6 ahead courtesy of Murphy's goal. But Longford points from full-forward Brian Kavanagh and full-back Diarmuid Masterson halved the deficit.

With 10 minutes remaining, a Francis McGee point from a Longford free left Carlow clinging to a 1-8 to 0-10 lead.

But a brace of points from frees by JJ Smith provided breathing space for the home county as they clinched a deserved win, despite the fact that Longford forced three successive '45s' in search of a levelling goal.

While Luke Dempsey will be happy with victory over the county he formerly managed, the downside of the victory was that Carlow shot an ugly 12 wides, to eight for Glenn Ryan’s men.

CARLOW: James Clarke; Mark Nolan, Liam Murphy, Kieran Nolan; Alan Curran, John Hayden, Tony Bolger; Brendan Murphy (0-1), Ken Doyle; Sean Gannon (0-1), Simon Rea (0-1, free), John Murphy (1-0); JJ Smith (0-5, all frees), Mark Carpenter (0-2), Daniel St Ledger.

SUBS USED:- Brian Murphy for K Doyle (25 mins); Eric McCormack for J Murphy (66 mins).

LONGFORD: Damien Sheridan (Dromard); Shane Mulligan (Mullinalaghta), Diarmuid Masterson (Dromard, 0-1), Seamus Hannon (Mostrim); Dermot Brady (Longford Slashers), Enda Williams (Clonguish), Justin Nally (Ballymahon); Kevin Smyth (Abbeylara), Bernard McElvaney (Ballymore); Danny Keenan (Ardagh, 0-1), Francis McGee (Dromard, 0-5, all frees), Kevin Mulligan (Mullinalaghta); Cian Mimnagh (Dromard), Brian Kavanagh (Kilmacud Crokes, 0-1), Jamsie Martin (Dromard, 0-2, frees).

SUB USED:- Declan Reilly (Colmcille) for J Martin (54 mins).

REFEREE: Brian Tyrell (Tipperary).

Irish Independent