Longford defeat London in final round of league

11.04.10 | Longford 1-16 London 0-10 | By Jonathan O'Meara

Longford concluded their National Football League Division 4 campaign with a nine-point victory over London at a sunkissed Pearse Park on Sunday last. 


Their leading talisman Francis McGee proved once again to be the star of the show, notching up an impressive ten points over the course of the contest to seal 'The Exiles' fate. 


The hosts looked to be in complete control at the end of the first half, when their corner-forward Ronan McGoldrick bagged an excellent goal on the 18th minute mark and further points from Francis McGee and Declan Reilly gave them an eight point advantage at the turnover. 


London however fought back bravely on the restart and four points on the trot from half-time substitute Kevin McMenamin and centre-forward Killian Phair reduced the deficit back to a goal with 15 minutes remaining.


The midlanders regrouped nonetheless in the final quarter and late flurry from McGee and company wrapped up this one sided affair. 


The return of Paddy Dowd back into the fray has given Ryan more options up front and this was evident last Sunday, when the Clonguish man worked well around the '40' and slipped over two nice points. 


Francis McGee has been Longford's shining light in the league, and his 10-point total in Sunday's game yet again confirms he is Longford's top target man. 

The Dromard man has been flying solo for extended periods of the season and no doubt when the injury free Brian Kavanagh and Paul Barden return, this will give more depth to their attacking force. 


Both teams looked sluggish in the opening stages at Pearse Park on Sunday however a Ronan McGoldrick point in the 4th minute settled the host into the game.

London then registered their first point moments later after Enda Williams up ended Darren Horan 35 metres from the Longford posts and their free taker Killian Phair got them off the mark. 


Ronan McGoldrick linked up a couple of times with Declan Reilly and the Colmcille man split the posts to continue their narrow advantage. 

Longford eventually put some distance between them and their opponents on the 18th minute mark.

A great move instigated by Dermot Brady in their defence, patiently worked the ball up field, until it found McGoldrick on the right flank.

He then side stepped his marker and unleashed a powerful shot into the roof of the London net. 
This goal sprung Ryan's charges into life and they followed up with five points in quick succession with Francis McGee and Paddy Dowd adding to Longford's scoring tally and bringing their advantage to eight points at the half time interval. 


After the break, the small home supporters were expecting Longford to continue to keep London under the cosh, but the visitors produced a gallant fight back with half time substitute Kevin McMenamin leading their charges. 


Six points in the opening fifteen minutes brought the sides back to within goal, but they could not sustain their onslaught and Longford upped the ante in the final minutes with Bernard McElvaney, Francis McGee and Paddy Dowd all registering points to their personal tally.

Scorers: Longford: F McGee 0-10 (5f, 1 ‘45’), B McElvaney, D Reilly 0-1 each, P Dowd 0-2, R McGoldrick 1-2. London: K Phair 0-3f, A Moyle 0-2, J Cott 0-1, K McMenamin 0-3 (2f), E O’Neill 0-1. 



LONGFORD: Damien Sheridan, Dermot Brady, Diarmuid Masterson, Peter Foy, Shane Mulligan, Enda Williams, Noel Farrell, Bernard McElvaney, Arthur O’Connor, Paul Kelly, Francis McGee, Ger Dennigan, Declan Reilly, Paddy Dowd, Ronan McGoldrick.  



Subs used:- James Martin for P. Kelly (44 mins), Barry Gilleran for A. O’Connor (62 mins), Martin Brady for S. Mulligan (69 mins), S Powell for D. Reilly (71 mins).



LONDON: Brendan Mulrooney, Donal Conlon, Declan Egan, Richie Ormsby, Noel Tuohy, Johnny Niblock, Kevin O’Leary, Conor Beirne, Eamon O’Cuiv, Conor Connelly, Killian Phair, Ciaran McCallion, Adrian Moyle, Jack Cott, Darren Horan. 


Subs used:- Paul Gearaghty for J. Niblock, Kevin McMenamin for J. Cott, Eoin O’Neil for C. Conneely (all half time), James Callery for K.O’Leary (62 mins).



REFEREE: Michael McGann (Clare).

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