Longford knock Kildare out to reach Leinster Minor Final

04.07.10 | Longford 3-5 Kildare 0-13 | By Deniese O'Flaherty

One week on from the senior footballers fantastic win over Mayo in the All-Ireland qualifiers the Longford minors put in a magnificent display to beat a highly fancied Kildare side in the Leinster semi-final at Pearse Park on Sunday evening last.

At the start of the championship Longford fell to a heavy defeat against Offaly but they re-grouped and worked extremely hard to get back into the championship. Against Kildare they got their just rewards.

In truth the Lilywhites were the better footballing side but Longford showed great character, determination and most importantly heart in producing this stunning result.

Many felt that Kildare's game against Dublin during the week in the second replay of their quarter-final tie would stand to them but maybe they underestimated this Longford side and were a little complacent. Certainly some of their followers thought they just had to turn up, with most talking about a Leinster Final against Offaly.

For years following the fortunes of Longford has mostly been about heartbreak and failure but that has changed in recent weeks. There is an air of belief and excitement at the moment for GAA supporters in Longford, with the senior and minor footballers, the ladies and hurlers wearing the jersey with pride and distinction.

Longford minors can now look forward to a Croke Park showdown with Offaly in the Leinster Final next Sunday. It's been eight years since the minors last made an appearance at GAA Headquarters; that year they claimed the Leinster title with victory over Meath. Offaly will provide stiff opposition but Longford will be out for revenge. They have proven in their last few games that they can are a match for anyone.

Forced to field without corner-forward Mark Hughes (Killoe) with defenders Sean Goldrick (Longford Slashers) and Oisin Farrell (Carrick Sarsfields) also injured and who will all miss the Leinster Final, Longford made a good start to the game and registered the first score inside the opening minute; Padraig McCormack burst through and found Barry McKeon who pointed.

Kildare then had three chances to get their first point on the board but kicked three bad wides in quick succession. They were to rue those missed opportunities because nine minutes in Longford grabbed their first goal of the game; Declan Mimnagh latched on to McKeon's fisted past and he shot past Kildare keeper Mark Donnellan.

The goal suddenly woke Kildare up and four points without reply got them right back into the game. Padraig Fogarty got their first score in the 10th minute after receiving the ball from wing back John Comerford. Fionn Dowling, who was lively all evening, got his first of the game two minutes later before he turned provider for Kevin Feely who pointed.

The sides were level in the 16th minute when Liam McGovern slotted over a free.

Longford themselves had chances in between to extend their lead but were wasteful on a few occasions when they had possession.

After 13 minutes without a score Longford nudged themselves back in front with a free from the boot of Diarmuid Cooney. But Kildare hit back. A free from McGovern and another score from Dowling gave them a one point advantage going in at the break; 0-6 to 1-2.

Kildare started the second half with real purpose and went two points in front one minute after the restart with a point from Dowling but Longford responded with a fine score from Robbie Smyth.

Another McGovern free and a nice point from Conor Herbert put a goal between the sides with 38 minutes gone on the clock. Barry McKeon hit back with a point for Longford before Kildare extended their lead to four points with another McGovern free and a fantastic point from Thomas Moolick. The centre-half-back made a fantastic catch around the midfield area, soloed his way through before shooting over the bar.

Longford didn't panic though and kept with their opponents. Points were traded between James McGivney and Dowling before Longford grabbed a crucial second goal in the 49th minute.

Declan Mimnagh's fisted attempt looked to have beaten the advancing Kildare keeper Donnellan but as he tried to clear the danger Kildare corner-back Barry Egan got the slightest of touches to help the ball just about cross the line. The umpire had no hesitation in raising the green flag and the goal was given.

Suddenly it was very much game on with Kildare's lead now cut to one point. That goal really deflated the Lilywhites and two minutes later Longford regained the lead with another goal; Barry McKeon's effort was blocked by the Kildare defence and in the ensuing scramble the ball fell nicely to James McGivney and he made no mistake in finding the back of the net.

In a frantic last nine minutes, plus the two additional minutes, Kildare tried in vain to get back into the game but Longford were resolute and defended in numbers. With time running out Kildare had the chance to claim a dramatic win but McGovern could only grab a point when they were awarded a free. Seconds later the whistle sounded and Longford had claimed another famous victory in Pearse Park.

LONGFORD: Paddy Collum (St. Vincent's, Drumlish/Ballinamuck); Darragh Bennett (Killoe), Dylan Quinn (St. Vincent's, captain), Ronan Keogh (Killoe); Conor Clarke (Longford Slashers), James McGivney (Northern Gaels, Mullinalaghta/Abbeylara, 1-1, point from free), Shane Donoghue (Shannon Gaels, Rathcline); Darren Gallagher (Granard/Ballymore), Diarmuid Cooney (St. Vincent's 0-1, free); Darren Farrelly (St. Vincent's), James Noonan (St. Vincent's), Padraig McCormack (Killoe); Declan Mimnagh (St. Francis Dromard, 2-0), Barry McKeon (Colmcille, 0-2), Robbie Smyth (Northern Gaels, 0-1).

Sub used: Cillian Lynn (Wolfe Tones, Mostrim) for D Farrelly (41 mins).

KILDARE: Mark Donnellan; Michael Konstantin, John Byrne, Barry Egan; Marcus Duke, Thomas Moolick (0-1), John Comerford; Tony Gibbons, Kevin Feely (0-1); Liam McGovern (0-5, all frees), Philip Cocoman, Niall Kelly; Padraig Fogarty (0-1), Conor Murphy (0-1), Fionn Dowling (0-4, one free).

Subs used: Fergal Conway for P Cocoman (41 mins); Conor Plunkett for N Kelly (53 mins); Sean Hurley for C Murphy (58 mins).

Referee: Brian O'Shea (Dublin).

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