Dublin 6-12
Longford 0-5
Kevin O’Brien reports from Parnell Park
DUBLIN FOUND LITTLE resistance in the form of Longford as they booked a Leinster MFC last four place with comfort this afternoon.
Ross McGarry scored 2-1 for the winners, while further goals from Adam Byrne, James Madden, James Doran and Sean Hawkshaw arrived as the Dubs coasted home.
After failing to score in the first 14 minutes, Dublin eventually settled and led by 1-6 to 0-1 at half-time. They cut loose after the break, adding 5-6 in the second period as Longford downed tools.
Dublin trailed by 10 points at half-time in their win over Meath in the previous round, but since then they’ve been in electric form.
It’s difficult to assess their credentials give then paucity of the challenge Longford put up, but on current form they are the clear frontrunners in Leinster and possibly beyond.
Peadar Ó Cofagh Bhroin looks like a tremendous prospect at full-back, while wing-back Eoin O’Dea may well have a long career in blue. James Doran and Ross McGarry scored 2-3 between them and were in fine form.
Longford arrived into Parnell Park with a defensive template, and to be honest never looked like they really believed they could win this game.
They played with Niall Farrelly as a full-time sweeper and their wing-forwards dropping deep, which made the game an extremely defensive affair.
Longford’s objective seemed to be to contain Dublin, rather than go and beat them.
The presence a spare defender in front of either full-back line meant both teams had to run the ball attack rather than kick it in long.
The sides were level at 0-1 apiece after 15 minutes, but Dublin took control in the second quarter. The home side reeled off an unanswered 1-5 before the interval as they figured out how to unlock the Longford rearguard through smart angles and quick movement in attack.
Ross McGarry punched the game’s first goal on 24 minutes, while a brace apiece from James Doran and Niall O’Leary left the Dubs 1-6 to 0-1 ahead at half-time.
Longford scored three points in the second-half, while Dublin scored five goals. That highlighted the gulf in class between the teams. Hawkshaw and Doran both scored impressive three-pointers, while O’Dea clipped over two fine points.
As the game petered out, subs Adam Byrne and James Madden each raised the green flag, while McGarry scored his second goal.
Scorers for Dublin: Ross McGarry 2-1, James Doran 1-2, Sean Hawkshaw 1-1, Adam Byrne 1-2, James Madden 1-0, Niall O’Leary and Eoin O’Dea 0-2 each, Darragh Conlon and David Lacey 0-1 each.
Scorers for Longford: Joseph Hagan, Shane Farrellm, Robbie O’Connell and Dylan Farrell (free) 0-1 each.
Dublin
1. David O’Hanlon (Na Fianna)
2. Darren Maher (St Patrick’s Donabate)
3. Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne (Cuala)
4. Liam Flatman (Kilmacud Crokes)
5. Kieran Kennedy (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
6. Neil Matthews (Erin’s Isle)
7. Eoin O’Dea (Na Fianna)
8. Donal Ryan (Na Fianna)
9. Mark Tracey (Cuala)
10. Niall O’Leary (Kilmacud Crokes)
11. James Doran (Na Fianna)
12. Darragh Conlon (Ballymun Kickhams)
13. Ross McGarry (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
14. Seán Hawkshaw (Naomh Mearnóg)
15. Ciarán Archer (St Maur’s)
Subs:
22. Adam Byrne for O’Leary (38)
21. Karl Lynch Bissett for Conlon (44)
23. David Lacey for Archer (48)
18. Fionnan O’Sullivan for Kennedy (51)
20. Daniel Deneher for O’Dea (57)
24. James Madden for Hawkshaw (60)
Longford
1. Jack Fox (Ballymahon)
2. Eamon Keogh (Kilroe Young Emmet)
3. Gerard Flynn (Longford Slashers)
4. Kian Gilmore (Rathcline)
7. Niall Farrelly (Killoe Young Emmet)
11. Shane Farrell (Kenagh)
6. PJ Masterson (Abbeylara)
5. Ciaran McKeon (Colmcille)
8. Patrick Molloy (Clonguish)
17. Daire O’Brien (Longford Slashers)
10. Joseph Hagan (Dromard)
15. Robbie O’Connell (Longford Slashers)
9. Ciaran Reilly (Ballymore)
13. Dylan Farrell (St Brigid’s)
14. Kyle Kenny (Legan Sarsfields)
Subs
12. Paddy Duggan for McKeon, black-card (13)
21. Aidan McGuire for O’Brien (37)
20. Justin McCormack for Duggan (39)
22. Cian McElligott for Kenny (47)
24. Ros Claffey for Reilly (49)
19. Mel Brady for O’Connell (52)
Fantastic performance. Great direct running Football. Cracking match. Can the Ulster teams put on as much entertainment?
Up the Faithful
Great to see Offaly back in the big time!!
Well done Offaly, not surprised they’d a good league campaign, were the better team for most of the O’Byrne cup game against Dublin back in January.
very enjoyable game well played .
Where is sean mcormack these days?
Mc cormick dropped himself off the panel. #sheedyout
Are you sure it wasn’t a family bereavement? I thought that was one of the pre – match announcements
His dad passed away suddenly last week.