Updated at 19.15
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Round 1
Louth 1-10 Longford 2-15
Four points separated the sides at half-time, with Longford having scored 0-9 to Louth’s 0-5 in the first half.
The afternoon took a swing in Longford’s favour a minute after the break though, as they were awarded a penalty and full-forward Liam Connerton converted.
Louth clawed back with an Eoin O’Connor goal a few minutes later, which was cancelled out by a goal for Longford’s Barry McKeon and Longford held on to progress with the eight-point win.
Laois 2-16 Wicklow 3-10
Laois got off to a flying start, leading 1-5 to 0-3 after fifteen minutes, prompting the Wicklow fans to get a bit worried.
However, Laois’ dream start faded slightly when captain, Stephen Attride, was given a black card a short while later.
Wicklow took advantage of the reshuffled defense, scoring two goals in quick succession in the dying minutes.
Laois’ dominance for the majority of the game, however, meant that they held on for the win.
Sligo 0-22 Antrim 3-7
Similar to Longford, Antrim found themselves awarded a penalty just a few minutes into the second half, with CJ McGourty converting for the Saffrons.
Matthew Fitzpatrick got another goal in the second half for Antrim and when seven minutes of added time came at the end, Paddy McBride added a third.
But Sligo’s points tally kept them just ahead in the end and gave them a hard-fought victory.
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Furlong is finished. Has been for a few years now.
Could do with him for France ideally if at all. Should take the summer off and stay well clear of the Lions. Big blow.
Huge blow. Bealham is good but a level below TF and then Clarkson has serious potential but I’d be worried if he had to come on early vs England or Scotland and especially vs France
@Andrew Slazenger: we’re almost used to not having him available now. Always seems to be injured.
@Michael Corkery: This is true. Fingers crossed he comes out the other side of the injury issues and hits another purple patch that lasts till after the WC
Perhaps they could just let Furlong recover properly instead of risking him for the sake of one or two games.
I think we might be able to cope against England, rest him regardless against Scotland and Wales aiming to get him back for France.
Does not sound optimistic at all, especially seeing that he flew home from Portugal. I’d say best case we might see him in march for those games. A shame.
He needs a good long spell away from rugby. Muscular injuries will just keep tearing and stretching until they are fully restored. Niggles turn into career-ending problems.