Longford 2-13

Monaghan 1-13

John Fallon reports from St Tiernach’s Park in Clones

LONGFORD PRODUCED ONE of the most stunning results in years to send Monaghan crashing out of this season’s championship.

Denis Connerton’s men, shock winners here in their only championship meeting back in 2004, had to come from behind but were well worth their victory.

Longford’s second visit to Ulster this summer could hardly have started better as they raced into a 1-1 to 0-0 lead after just four minutes against the breeze.

Mickey Quinn got the goal after Liam Connerton, a son of manager Denis, was denied by Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan.

Conor McManus helped Monaghan settle but it was clear that Longford, buoyed by their win over Down in Newry, were up for the battle and a couple of points from James McGivney and one from Brian Kavanagh saw them deservedly lead by 1-4 to 0-2 after quarter of an hour.

They maintained that five points advantage until eight minutes from the break but then Monaghan blitzed them for 1-6 without reply from there to the break.

Conor McCarthy and Jack McCarron helped cut the deficit but the big breakthrough came when a counter-attack saw Colin Walshe finish to the net after McCarron was denied.

A third point from McManus and one from Ryan McAnespie saw Monaghan go in leading by 1-9 to 1-6 at the end of a cracking opening half.

Longford cut the gap to a point early in the second-half and then pushed two in front before efforts from Conor McCarthy and Shane Carey levelled the match 12 minutes from the end.

But Longford pushed on as Monaghan’s third game in 14 days took its toll and Robbie Smyth sent them on their way to victory when his goal after being set up by Liam Connerton pushed them four in front with eight minutes left.

Monaghan got it back to a goal but never looked like saving their season as Longford fans went wild at the finish of a cracking contest.

Scorers for Monaghan: Conor McCarthy & Conor McManus (0-3f) 0-4 each; Colin Walshe 1-0; Jack McCarron 0-2; Rory Beggan (0-1f), Ryan McAnespie & Shane Carey 0-1 each.
Scorers for Longford: Robbie Smyth 1-3 (0-2f); Diarmuid Masterson, James McGivney & Brian Kavanagh (0-1f, 0-1 s-l) 0-3 each; Mickey Quinn 1-0; Liam Connerton 0-1.

Monagahan
1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown)
2. Colin Walshe (Doohamlet)
3. Drew Wylie (Ballybay)
17. Conor Boyle (Clontibret)
9. Karl O’Connell (Tyholland)
6. Vinny Corey (Clontibret)
7. Fintan Kelly (Clones)
19. Neil McAdam (Monaghan Harps)
14. Darren Hughes (Scotstown)
11. Ryan McAnespie (Emyvale)
24. Dermot Malone (Castleblayney Faugh’s)
23. Thomas Kerr (Ballybay)
26. Jack McCarron (Currin)
15. Conor McManus (Clontibret)
13. Conor McCarthy (Scotstown)

Subs:
10. Owen Duffy (Latton) for Malone (h-t)
12. Shane Carey (Scotstown) for O’Connell (h-t)
18. Dessie Mone (Clontibret) for Kerr (50)
8. Kieran Hughes (Scotstown) for McCarron (56)
22. Stephen Gollogly (Carrickmacross Emmet’s) for Duffy (63)

Longford
1. Paddy Collum (Fr Manning Gaels)
2. Cian Farrelly (Emmet Óg)
25. Paul McGee (Dromard)
3. Barry Gilleran (Longford Slashers)
5. Donal McElligott (St Columba’s)
6. Mickey Quinn (Emmet Óg)
12. Barry McKeon (Colmcille)
8. Michael Brady (Longford Slashers)
9. Darren Gallagher (St Mary’s)
7. Diarmuid Masterson (Dromard)
4. Dermot Brady (Longford Slashers)
11. James McGivney (St Columba’s)
13. Robbie Smyth (Abbeylara)
14. Brian Kavanagh (Kilmacud Crokes)
17. Liam Connerton (Rathcline)

Subs:
15. Barry O’Farrell (Carrickedmond) for McGee (24)
10. Dessie Reynolds (Seán Connolly’s) for McElligott (31, black card)
18. Mark Hughes (Emmet Óg) for Michael Brady (h-t)
22. Rory Connor (Kenagh) for McKeon (60, black card)
19. Brian Farrell (Mostrim) for Gallagher (65)
24. Seamus Hannon (Mostrim) for Smyth (72)

Referee: Ciarán Branagan (Down)

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