Longford edge out Offaly after tight contest

Some strong running from Paddy Moran won several frees with Carey obliging from the dead ball. Offaly had large amounts of possession but Longford were more effective in attack and two fine points from Jamie Brady-Hynes (one free and a mark) along with a neat Carey effort from play had them three in front.

The roving Conor Melia popped up from his goal to fire over a fine score to keep his side in touch. Having played with a slight breeze, Longford led by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break.

Offaly began to squeeze Longford and a fantastic point from a Melia dead ball brought them closer. A fantastic left-footed effort from star of the show Carey, following a powerful run, helped to keep the distance between the sides.

A fine effort from Paddy Moran stretched Longford’s lead to three before Cillian Bourke and another Melia strike from play brought the margin down to two. A Cillian Foran free left one between the sides but despite a late push, Longford held on for a deserved victory.

Scorers - Longford: M Carey 0-7 (3f, 1 ‘45) J Brady Hynes 0-2 (1 mark) P Moran 0-1 .Offaly: C Melia 0-3 (2f), R Gallagher 0-2 (1f), C Bourke 0-1, S Doran 0-1, C Foran 0-1f, N Furlong 0-1

Longford: O McManus; C Smith, R O’Toole, E Williams; G Farrelly, A Flynn, J Burke; C Lynch, O Flynn; B Mulvey, P Moran, M Flynn; M Flynn, M Carey, J Brady-Hynes. Subs: S Smith for Mulvey (49mins), J Belton for O Flynn (56 mine) and H Kiernan for Brady Hynes (57 mins)

Offaly: C Melia; D O’Neil, C McKeon, D Kilmurrey; D Byrne, G O’Meara, L Bourke; C Bourke, M Dalton; R Kellaghan, N Furlong, S Doran; S Afolabi-Joseph, R Gallagher, L Kelly. Subs: B Kennedy for L Kelly (30 mins) C Foran for R Kellaghan (44 mins) and C O’Reilly for S Doran (59 mins).