Laois comeback falls short as Longford dominate final quarter

Dalata Hotel Group Leinster U/20 Football Championship Group 2 Rd 1 

Longford 2-17 

Laois 1-15 

LAOIS welcomed Longford to Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Wednesday evening for round one of the Leinster U/20 Football Championship, with a decent home crowd in attendance hoping to see a repeat of previous underage success. The sides are familiar with one another from 2023 minor ranking with 13 of the players on the Laois U/20 panel were also part of the Laois minor football team that hammered Longford in Portlaoise in the 2023 Leinster Minor Championship.

The home side were slow to find their rhythm, struggling in the early exchanges as Longford settled quickly into the contest. Laois trailed by seven at the break but awoke in the third quarter, showing much greater intensity and purpose. They managed to narrow the gap to just two points thanks to a sustained spell of pressure, but unfortunately that is as close as it got, as Longford regrouped and took over for the final quarter, outscoring Laois 0-6 to 0-2 to seal the win.

The visitors were first off the mark when Luke Donnelly pointed a two-point free, quickly followed by points from Patrick Mollahan (free) and Jamie Dorr as they capitalised on early Laois indiscipline. Ennae Byrne got Laois’ scoring underway when he pointed a free, with Paddy Fitzpatrick following up from play as the hosts began to settle.

Longford then put a quickfire 1-2 on the board in a decisive spell. James Hagan pointed two excellent efforts, with Mark Cooney finding the back of the net after a well-worked move that exposed the Laois defence. Fitzpatrick replied for Laois, but a second green flag came for the away side when Hagan combined with Donnelly for a clinical finish.

To their credit, Laois responded well. They charged up the field and Darren Brennan rattled the net after a superb one-two with Danny McGrath, lifting the home support. Byrne added a second free, but Longford continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Two white flags came from Hagan, with Dorr also splitting the posts. Byrne replied again for Laois, but the gap remained significant.

The final first half action saw Longford corner back Cooney shown a black card in the 29th minute, offering Laois a potential opening. However, they were unable to fully capitalise before the interval, and Longford took a deserved seven-point advantage to the dressing room, 2-9 to 1-5.

William McEntire and Mollahan opened the second half scoring for Longford, but Laois began to build momentum. Dylan Murphy pointed before Brennan kicked a two-point free followed by a finely struck 45’, energising the home side. Ultan Dunne, David Donoghue, and Eoin Johnson all added points during a strong Laois spell, which brought the gap back to just two points and set up an intriguing final quarter.

However, just as Laois looked to push on, Longford responded with composure. Donnelly steadied the visitors with another two-point free, while Byrne replied to keep it to a goal between them. Longford then finished the stronger, demonstrating greater efficiency in front of goal as they reeled off four points in a row.

Mollahan, Cormac Flynn, and Dorr all pointed, with Mollahan adding his fourth, a second free, to stretch the lead once more. Danny McGrath fired over a two-pointer at the final whistle, his effort bouncing in the square before sailing over the bar.

Laois will now look to regroup quickly as they prepare for a trip to Meath for round two, which is due to take place on Wednesday next, 1 April.

SCORERS:

Longford: Luke Donnelly 1-4 (2 tpf), Patrick Mollahan (0-2fs) and James Hagan 0-4, Mark Cooney 1-0, Jamie Dorr 0-3, William McEntire and Cormac Flynn 0-1 each.

Laois: Darren Brennan 1-3 (1 tpf, 1 45), Ennae Byrne 0-4 (0-3fs), Danny McGrath (1 tp) and Paddy Fitzpatrick 0-2 each, Eoin Johnson, David Donoghue, Ultan Dunne, and Dylan Murphy 0-1 each.

LONGFORD: Darragh Egan; Alex Nugent, Ronan Burke, Mark Cooney; Conor McHugh, Colin Gilna, William McEntire; Daniel Galvin, Shane Donoghue; Peter Farrell, Jamie Dorr, Luke Donnelly; James Hagan, Patrick Mollahan, Cormac Flynn.

Subs: Sean Fagan for Farell (46m), Max Gallagher for Galvin (49m), Alan Mimnagh for McEntire (56m), Cormac Mulvey for Donnelly (60m), Matthew Farrell for Flynn (61m).

LAOIS: Cathal Tierney (Park/Ratheniska); Ben O’Connor (Portlaoise), Dan Boland (Courtwood), Fionn O’Sullivan (Crettyard); Hugo Emerson (Portarlington), Danny McGrath (Graiguecullen), Cathal Buggie (Stradbally); Robbie Murphy (St Joseph’s), Cormac Deegan (Annanough); Paddy Fitzpatrick (The Heath), Eoin Johnson (St Joseph’s), Darren Brennan (Portlaoise), Dylan Murphy (Graiguecullen), Ennae Byrne (Arles Kilcruise), Ultan Dunne (O’Dempsey’s).

Subs: David Donoghue (Stradbally) for Deegan (37m), Jack Julian (Ballylinan) for Emerson (39m), Niall Lalor (Kilcavan) for Fitzpatrick (49m), Tom O’Connell (Mountmellick) for O’Sullivan (56m).

Referee: Darragh Byrne (Wicklow)