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The county U-14 and U-15 footballers took part in two Inter-County Football Blitzes on saturday morning last at the Longford Slashers and Abbeylara grounds. The following is a round up from both venues.

Mixed fortunes for U-14 footballers

Last Saturday at the Longford Slashers grounds, Michael Fay Park, the Longford U-14 Football Development squads took on Westmeath in a Leinster Development Blitz. Longford split their panel into 2 equal squads with Westmeath spilting their 2 teams to north and south.

Longford (1) 1-6 Westmeath South 0-4

Longford started off well with an early point and lots off possession but didn’t have their shooting boots on with a lot of missed chances in the first part of the game. They went in at the break 3 points to 1 up at half time.

In the second half they went up gear and scored a quick 1-3 without reply and hitting the post in the meantime. In the last 5 minutes Westmeath made a fight back with 3 points. But a it wasn’t enough with a good win from the Longford team. Good performances from Nigel Rabbit in midfield, Jamie King Half Forward and Daniel Dotherty making two good saves in goals.

Longford (2) 0-7 Westmeath North 3-11

Longford found it tough in the first half against a very strong Westmeath North side who notch up 2 -8 with Longford only scoring 2 points form an impressive Rian Brady. But in the second half Longford had much a better start scoring 4 points with one form Aaron Early at half back.

With a bit of luck Longford could have had a goal when hitting the cross bar. But this strong Westmeath side finishing with the win. Shane Bannon made some good saves to keep the Westmeath men out. A much improved second half display by Longford.

Longford (1) 0-7 Westmeath North 3-9

Goals were the big difference in this game with one goal either side of half time to Westmeath to give an impressive Westmeath North the win.

Longford started off well when going two points clear with strong half back line of Darragh Gilna and Luke Meehan bombing forward.

But the Goals were the difference, Westmeath pulled away in the second half with two goals. Longford battled hard with Brian McCorrmack very impressive at centre forward.

Longford (2) 4-8 Westmeath South 2-6

Longford started off at lightning pace notching up points form Ciaran Donohue and Rian Brady. Westmeath had no answer and before the half was over Longford notched up 3 goals to lead half time 3-5 to 0-3.

Westmeath came back well in the last few minutes of the second half with a quick 2 goals and 3 points in succession but with 2 scores from Ronan Hughes and strong defensive play from Sean Costello, Longford came away with an impressive win.

Two wins for U-15 county footballers

On Saturday morning last Longford hosted Westmeath in an U15 blitz at the Abbeylara GAA grounds. On a very sunny morning and in ideal conditions for football both Longford and Westmeath fielded two teams each and there were four games played in total. In the first round of games Longford White played Westmeath North while Longford Blue played Westmeath South.

Longford White 4-7 Westmeath South 3-5

As would be a common trend throughout the four games, Longford started quiet slowly and took their time about getting into the game. Westmeath picked off some early scores including a well worked goal. Longford seemed to be struggling with the greasy ball as a result of the dew on the grass and their handling let them down on a number of occasions.

Longford had a few early chances from placed balls but were unable to convert most of them. As the half wore on, Longford gradually worked their way into the game as they eventually got the score board ticking over with points from Niall Kelly and Ray O Brien. On many an occasion during the first half Longford had to call upon the services of Shane Fitzpatrick to prevent Westmeath adding to their goal tally.

As the game progressed Longford gained the upper hand but Westmeath always looked dangerous on the break. The Longford half back line of Brian Rooney, Dean Cosgrove and Larry Moran as well as the half time introduction of Liam Sullivan really excelled for the remainder of this match and this laid the foundations for Longford’s best spell of the game where they notched 1-3 without reply in the final quarter to run out victorious.

Longford Blue 1-6 Westmeath North 3-11

This game was played on the new pitch in Michael Lynch Park and with all its open spaces there really is no place to hide. Longford struggled to come to grips with the amount of time and space that the Westmeath players had and this was reflected on the scoreboard.

Westmeath were first to a lot of the breaking ball in midfield and this gave them huge amounts of possession and on that pitch possession is king especially at underage football.

Longford battled gamely for the entire game but without primary possession their scoring chances were limited and their defence was under a lot of pressure. Patrick Farrell worked hard in the middle of the park while Eoin Sorohan and Aidan Carberry kept the scoreboard moving.

Longford White 4-4 Westmeath North 2-9

What eventually turned out to be the best game of the day started in typical fashion with Westmeath taking an early lead before Longford came to life. Like a lot of underage football there is a fine margin between winning and losing a game and this was never truer than in the latter stages of this game.

For long periods of this contest it looked like Westmeath would always have that bit too much for their Longford counterparts but to Longford’s credit they kept plugging away and were always within striking distance even if you could not see where the strike was going to come from.

As so often happens in games at this level one goal is quickly followed by another and on this occasion it was Longford who found the net in quick succession. This brought Longford right back into the game and gave them the heart to see out the game by the smallest of margins.

Longford Blue 2-5 Westmeath South 7-9

Westmeath were again first out of the traps as they registered the first few scores but as the half progressed Longford played themselves into the game with a goal by Anthony O Reilly and only for an unfortunate bounce of the ball in front of the goals the same man would have added a second three pointer.

During the second half Longford started to run out of legs, no doubt due to all the ground they covered in the first game and Westmeath started picking of some fine scores.

The Longford defence were again working overtime with both Fergal O Donnell and Brian Gordon putting in good shifts. All in all it was a good day’s football with Longford showing flashes of potential and the possibility of a strong team when you combine the best of both squads.

> A Longford player lets the ball go against Westmeath at the Slashers grounds in the U-14 county blitz 

 

> Pictured is one of the county U-15 teams before their game against Westmeath at the Abbeylara grounds