Timmons the hero as Laois edge Longford to reach Tier 3 semi-final

All-Ireland Minor Football Championship Tier 3 q/f 

Laois 2-12 

Longford 0-16 

LAOIS are through to the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship Tier 3 semi-final after running out two-point winners over Longford at Pearse Park on Saturday morning.

The victors were full value for their two-point win as they battled back from four points down early in the first half to seal a victory to book their place in the semi-final.

There were brilliant performances across the board David Timmons made a huge contribution in the last 15 minutes scoring a vital 1-2 while captain Fionnan Brennan also made a welcome return after missing the game against Limerick through injury.

For Longford, Senan Buckley was superb from midfield, he kept Longford in the game after kicking an impressive nine points including two two-pointers.

Just before throw in the heavens opened making conditions really difficult handling and under foot conditions. which led to a slow start from both teams.

It took five minutes for the first point of the match, but from then on, both teams put on a very entertaining battle throughout.

It was Laois that got the first score in the fifth minute with Eoghan Harris scoring a brilliant point from play.

Longford soon kicked into gear with Buckley coming to the fore for his side. He levelled the scoring from a close range free; he then put Longford in the lead for the first with a brilliant two pointer to give Longford 0-3 to 0-1 lead after ten minutes.

Buckley wasn't finished there as he added another point as Laois struggled to contain the Longford star.

Eoin Beattie added another score for Longford from a free and it looked like Laois were in for a tough day, but to their credit they showed a lot of resilience, as they did against Limerick last weekend and came storming back.

Captain Fionnan Brennan started the comeback with an inspirational two pointer to close the gap to two points.

Laois then started to settle into the game with Mikey Hand getting the next score for Laois. Buckley responded again for Longford as they maintained the lead.

The victors then hit into gear with Brennan hitting another two pointer while Tom Lawler and Mikey Hand getting a brace and Laois now led 0-9 to 0-6.

Longford finished the half with a two pointer from Cillian Fagan to leave a point in it as Laois led 0-9 to 0-8.

The home side started the stronger with a two pointer from Niall O'Donnell and a point from Beattie to put Longford back in the lead.

The next ten minutes was all Laois as they hit 1-3 without reply with Hand getting another will David Timmons hit a brace. Laois did get their first goal in between them points, after a great move ended with Will Craig who found the net.

Longford though weren't finished a drew the scores level through Buckley (three) and Beattie drew the game level again to send the game into a nail-biting finish.

Buckley then grabbed his ninth point of the day with seven minutes remaining and it was to be Longford's last.

Timmons then hit the fatal blow after a long ball was sent in and Timmons won possession and hit the back of the net with five minutes to go.

It was to be the last score of the game, Longford pushed hard for the equaliser, but Laois stood firm to see out the game and book a semi-final place.

SCORERS:

Laois: David Timmons 1-2, Fionnan Brennan (2tps), Mikey Hand (0-3fs) 0-4 each, Will Craig 1-0, Tom Lawler and Eoghan Harris 0-1 each.

Longford: Senan Buckley 0-9 (1tp- 0-1f), Eoin Beattie 0-3 (0-1f), Cillian Fagan (1tp), Niall O'Donnell (1tp) 0-2 each LAOIS: Mark Dowling (Crettyard); Nisun Balogun (Killeshin), Fionnan Brennan (Crettyard), Darragh Brennan (Crettyard); Dale Heffernan (Killeshin), Cian Murphy (St Joseph's), Will McGrath (Arles-Killeen); Cillin Hoey (Portarlington), Will Craig (O'Dempsey's); Tom Lawler (Graiguecullen), Sean Maree (Emo), Eoghan Harris (Arles Killeen); Michael Brennan (Crettyard), David Timmons (Portlaoise), Mikey Hand (Graiguecullen).

Subs: Tadgh Hughes (Rosenallis) for Hand (44m), Oran Langton (Barrowhouse) for McGrath (53m), John Fitzpatrick (Ballyfin) for Lawler (58m).

LONGFORD: Jack Cassidy; Sean Hagan, Sean Finlass, Shane Hanniffy; Brayden Francis, Oren McNerney, Jack O'Farrell; Senan Buckley, Robert Rowan; Eoin Beattie, Niall O'Donnell, Daire Toher; Conor Shannon, Oisin McHugh, Leon Madden.

Referee: Shane Corcoran