Dublin triumph against brave Longford in five-goal Leinster U21 football semi-final

Dublin 2-15
Longford 3-7

Paul Keane reports from Páirc Tailteann in Navan

HOLDERS DUBLIN TURNED on the style late on at Páirc Tailteann to eventually shrug off brave Longford and secure their Eirgrid Leinster U-21 final place.

Dessie Farrell’s side fell behind on three occasions when Longford netted throughout an exciting semi-final tie.

But with the sides tied approaching the finale, Dublin finished strong with six points in a row to progress to the April 2 decider against Kildare.

Niall Scully was excellent in this late period with three points on the trot as the All-Ireland champions showed all their character to progress.

Dublin beat Longford well at this stage last year but lost to the Midlanders by a point in 2013 at Parnell Park.

Longford's Conor Shields and Conor McHugh of Dublin Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

So Longford travelled in anticipation to Navan and got the best possible start, netting twice inside 13 minutes.

Killian O’Gara did respond with 1-1 for Dublin in that period but Longford goals from Larry Moran and Liam Connerton had them in the driving seat with a 2-1 to 1-1 advantage.

Dublin were just about the better side early on though and finally took the lead in the 22nd minute when Colm Basquel hit their second goal.

They retained a slender 2-5 to 2-4 half-time advantage and berated themselves for drilling nine wides and dropping five point attempts into the goalkeeper’s arms.

Longford's Ross McNerney and Andrew Foley of Dublin. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

The third quarter stuck to the first-half script, Longford netting through Connerton again and Dublin fighting back with four points in a row to regain the lead.

It would prove an arm wrestle all the way until the 49th minute when the sides were level though Dublin finally found an extra gear to pull clear with those six scores in a row.

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Scorers for Dublin: Killian O’Gara 1-2, Conor McHugh 0-5 (0-1f), Colm Basquel 1-1, Niall Scully 0-3, Eric Lowndes 0-2, Andy Foley and Aaron Byrne 0-1 each.

Scorers for Longford: Liam Connerton 2-1, Larry Moran 1-1 (0-1f), Patrick Kiernan 0-2, Andrew Dalton, David McGivney (0-1f) and Dessie Reynolds 0-1 each.

Longford's Andrew Dalton and Stephen Cunningham of Dublin contest a high ball. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

DUBLIN

1. Lorcan Molloy (St Anne’s)

18. Shane Clayton (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
3. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf)
4. Ross McGowan (Kilmacud Crokes)

5. Eric Lowndes (St Peregrines)
6. Conor Mulally (Cuala)
7. Eoin Murchan (Na Fianna)

8. Stephen Cunningham (St Sylvester’s)
9. Shane Carthy (Naomh Mearnog)

21. Gavin Burke (St Vincent’s)
19. Andy Foley (Clontarf)
12. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge Street)

13. Killian O’Gara (Templeogue Synge Street)
14. Conor McHugh (Na Fianna)
15. Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St Enda’s)

Subs
10. Robbie Gaughan (Balinteer St John’s) for Burke (43)
24. Aaron Byrne (Na Fianna) for O’Gara (47)
12. Michael Deegan (Donaghmore Ashbourne) for Basquel (60)

LONGFORD

1. Colm Farrell (Longford Slashers)

2. Ronan Sweeney (Clonguish)
3. Andrew Farrell (Cashel)
4. Conor Shields (Clonguish)

5. Liam Sullivan (St Mary’s)
6. Cian Farrelly (Emmet Og)
7. Dessie Reynolds (Sean Connollys)

8. Fergal Sheridan (Colmcille)
9. Andrew Dalton (Longford Slashers)

10. Ross McNerney (Dromard)
11. Shane Kenny (Rathcline)
12. Rory Connor (Kenagh)

13. Larry Moran (Emmet Og)
14. Patrick Kiernan (Emmet Og)
15. Liam Connerton (Rathcline)

Subs
23. David McGivney (St Columba’s) for Sheridan (26)
21. Patrick Farrell (Carrickedmond) for Andrew Farrell (52)
24. Nigel Rabbitte (Abbeylara) for Kiernan (56)

Referee: John Hickey (Carlow)

- This article was first published on 18 March at 20.48pm

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