Longford hurlers heading to Croke Park for All-Ireland Final

26.06.10 | Longford 2-21 Leitrim 0-10 | By Deniese O'Flaherty

Longford hurlers can now look forward to a Croke Park appearance next Saturday after they booked their place in the Lory Meagher Cup Final with a 17 point win over neighbours Leitrim at Pearse Park on Saturday evening last.

Donegal will provide the opposition for Longford at GAA Headquarters (throw-n 12 noon). The two sides met earlier in this competition with the Ulster side winning by four points after being ahead by 12 at one stage.

Gareth Ghee was once again in inspirational form for Longford. The Slashers marksman finished the game with 1-11 to his credit; his goal seven minutes from time came direct from a '65.

Leitrim put it up to Longford during the first half and went in at the break just one point in arrears but they completely fell apart in the second half. They only scored one point after the break and that came three minutes from time.

Their frustration boiled over in the second half with David McGovern and substitute James Glancy both shown red cards for reckless tackles on Declan Tanner. Tanner was later substituted by manager Tom Lynam.

Although they went in ahead at the break Longford were outplayed for much of the first half but they were resurgent in the second half as they brushed aside Leitrim's challenge.

Leitrim got off to the perfect start racing into a three point to no score lead inside the opening 10 minutes.

Longford offered very little in those opening exchanges but found themselves on level terms in the 14th minute when Joe O'Brien's free dropped short and Neil Casey flicked the ball to the back of the net.

Two points in quick succession edged Leitrim in front again but Longford hit back through Tanner and a free from Ghee. A point from Tanner in the 19th minute put Longford ahead for the first time in the game.

But credit to Leitrim they kept at Longford and regained the lead on the half hour mark after two fine points from Michael Poniard and David McGovern.

The sides were level for the fourth time just before the break before a fantastic point from Ghee gave Longford a one point half-time lead; 1-7 to 0-9.

Leitrim's challenge collapsed after the break as Longford and in particular Gareth Ghee ran riot. In a 13 minute spell scored seven points; nine in a row for Longford. Leitrim couldn't contain their opponents and were forced into giving away four frees in the first seven minutes of the restart which Ghee duly pointed over.

Ghee then followed up with two beautiful points to extend Longford's lead to seven points in the opening quarter of the second half.

Leitrim were then dealt a blow in the 49th minute when David McGovern was shown a straight red card for a robust challenge on Declan Tanner. Ghee hit over his 11th point of the game one minute later and Seanie Stakelum got his name on the scoresheet shortly after with a wonderful score.

To compound Leitrim's misery they were reduced to 13 men in the 55th minute; Declan Tanner was again on the receiving end of a rough tackle, this time it was James Glancy that was shown a straight red by referee Pat Greene.

Two points from Neil Casey put 11 points between the sides as the game entered the final ten minutes. Longford registered their second goal seven minutes from time when Gareth Ghee found the back of the net direct from a '65. It was a spectacular goal to cap off a wonderful display by Ghee.

Joe O'Brien got on the scoresheet one minute later before Leitrim got their first score of the second half through Morgan Quinn. O'Brien hit back with two points before Neil Casey fired over a fabulous score right on the stroke of full-time for rampant Longford.

LONGFORD: Paddy Cullen (Wolfe Tones, Mostrim); Benny Stakem (Wolfe Tones), Sean Browne (Wolfe Tones), Ciaran Finnucane (Clonguish); Brian Stakelum (Longford Slashers), Martin Coyle (Wolfe Tones), Rory Donnellan (Longford Slashers); Eoin Donnellan (Longford Slashers), Robert Ryland (Oliver Plunkett's, Mullingar); Seanie Stakelum (Longford Slashers, 0-1), Neil Casey (Clonguish, 1-3), Declan Tanner(St. Rynagh's, Offaly, 0-2); Gareth Ghee(Longford Slashers, 1-11, eight frees), Joe O'Brien (Clonguish, 0-3), John Newman (Wolfe Tones, 0-1).

Subs:- Conor Egan (Birr) for B Stakelum (half-time); John Minnock (Clonguish) for D Tanner (57 mins); Hugh O'Kane (Longford Slashers) for G Ghee (63 mins).

LEITRIM: Paul McKiernan; Shane Guckian, Vincent McDermott, David Tiernan; Kevin McGrath, Niall Guckian, Michael Poniard (0-1); Keith Connolly (0-3), Clement Cunniffe; David McGovern (0-1), Ian Bermingham (0-2, two frees), Conor Burns; Liam Burns (0-1), David Poniard (0-1), Morgan Quinn (0-1).

Subs:- James Glancy for McDermott (half-time); Kieran Boyle for D Poniard (64 mins).

Referee: Pat Greene (Galway).

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