MATCH REPORT: Carlow beaten at home in third round of National Football League

Longford came away from Netwatch Dr Cullen Park Carlow on Sunday afternoon with a five points victory, 0-9 to 1-11, snatching two vital points from Carlow and moving to the top of the Division 3 table.

Allianz National Football League Division 3 - Round 3: Carlow 0-9 Longford 1-11

It was always going to be tough for Longford against an in-form Carlow and in the first half Turlough O’Brien’s side played some good football but Longford were able to stick with them despite deciding to play against the wind in that opening half.

Final Result: Allianz National Football League (round 3) (2nd half, 73min) Carlow 0-9 (9) Longford 1-11 (14) #CarlowRising@itcarlow

— Carlow GAA (@Carlow_GAA) February 10, 2019

The turning point of the game came in the 30th minute when Carlow missed a penalty that would have put them four points ahead. Longford were able to level before the break, 0-5 apiece, and it really buoyed them up for the second half.

Longford created the first scoring chance of the game but it was Carlow that got the opening score when Darragh Foley kicked over a terrific long-range point in the third minute.

A move involving Darren Gallagher and Nigel Rabbitt ended with Colm P. Smyth kicking over Longford’s first point. Jordan Morrissey and Liam Connerton traded frees before Darragh O’Brien kicked over a free to edge Carlow back in front in the eighth minute, 0-3 to 0-2.

There was nothing between the sides and in the ninth minute a nice point from Nigel Rabbitt drew Longford level. Gallagher was fouled in the 15th minute and he fired over the free to put Longford ahead for the first time, 0-3 to 0-4 to the visitors.

The sides were level again for the fourth time seven minutes later when Sean Gannon capitalised on a Longford mistake and fired over. Another excellent Foley point put Carlow in the lead again in the 26th minute, 0-5 to 0-4.

In the 30th minute Carlow were awarded a penalty after Conor Lawlor was taken down. Sean St. Ledger stepped up to take the spot-kick but his effort came off the post. Just before the break Gallagher kicked over a terrific free to level matters. Half-time: Carlow 0-5 Longford 0-5

A phase of play that included numerous handpasses eventually yielded a Carlow point in the 43rd minute.

Longford then enjoyed a good spell kicking over four unanswered points between the 44th and 50th minutes through Joe Hagan, Connerton, Smyth and Connor Berry, to go three ahead, 0-6 to 0-9.

Two frees from Carlow sub Paul Broderick brought his side back to within one point by the 60th minute, 0-8 to 0-9.

Longford stretched the lead to four points in the 61st minute when a long high ball in by Colm P. Smyth was brilliantly flicked to the net by Connor Berry, 0-8 to 1-9.

Carlow were reduced to 14 when Sean Murphy was shown a second yellow in the 62nd minute.

Broderick added a late pointed free for Carlow while Gallagher (free) and Daniel Mimnagh point sealed the win for Longford.

CARLOW: Robbie Molloy; Chris Crowley, Shane Redmond, Barry John Molloy; Jordan Morrissey (0-1), Eoghan Ruth, Conor Lawlor; Brendan Murphy, Sean Murphy; Sean Gannon (0-1), Darragh Foley (0-2), Shane Clarke; Diarmuid Walshe, Darragh O’Brien (0-2, 0-1 free), Daniel St. Ledger.

Subs: Paul Broderick (0-3, frees) for D Walshe (39 mins), Brendan Kavanagh for C Crowley (70 mins)

LONGFORD: Paddy Collum; Darren Quinn, Andrew Farrell, Barry O’Farrell; Colm P. Smyth (0-2), Barry McKeon, Daniel Mimnagh (0-1); Darren Gallagher (0-3, frees), Michael Quinn; Shane Donohoe, Nigel Rabbitt (0-1), Mark Hughes; Peter Hanley, Liam Connerton (0-2), Peter Lynn.

Subs: Joe Hagan (0-1) for P Lynn (h-t), Connor Berry (1-1) for N Rabbitt (48 mins), Darragh Doherty for S Donohoe (70+2mins)

Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh)

Football Division 3 Table after Round 3

Down 0-10 v 0-09 Westmeath
Carlow 0-09 v 1-11 Longford
Offaly 2-08 v 2-10 Louth
Laois 2-18 v 2-10 Sligo#gaa #football #allianzleagues #Carlow #Down #Laois #Longford #Louth #Offaly #Sligo #Westmeath #gaaleaguetables pic.twitter.com/o4GvCx14bK

— GAA League Tables (@GAALeagueTables) February 10, 2019

Full time Longford 1:11 to Carlow 0:09.Brilliant performance from the lads today. Now for Thurles next Saturday. pic.twitter.com/RfA7AAjffT

— Nicole O'Rothlain (@rowleynicole7) February 10, 2019