Longford 2-16

Monaghan 1-17

A resurgent Longford staged a magnificent second half recovery to get their Rackard Cup aspirations back on track at the expense of Monaghan in this exciting contest in Inniskeen on Saturday afternoon. Things looked good for the home side when they led by nine points at the break, 0-14 to 0-5 and they might well have been further ahead as they spurned a couple of goal chances during that period. “We struggled in midfield after we lost Martin Murphy through injury” Monaghan manager Trevor Hilliard reflected afterwards “and our decision making was very disappointing. We looked as if we were getting back into it when we levelled the game, but couldn’t turn it around and it’s going to be very difficult now to lift them for the game against Warwickshire, because we are out of the running now for the semi finals and that’s the most disappointing thing”. Monaghan led at half-time by 0-14 to 0-5 but were rocked with a goal within fifteen seconds of the restart by David Buckley and that gave the visitors real momentum. “The lads stepped up their efforts after that which we needed to do, because we didn’t show in the first half at all and when he (Buckley) got his second goal that set us up for the win which keeps us in the race now”. Buckley’s second goal helped to level matters along with points by Reuben Murray and Cathal Mullane. A Tadhg Campbell goal restored Monaghan to a three points lead but they were unable to build on that as Longford responded for three points in quick succession to level the match and then regained the lead with points by Bart Hanley at Cathal Mullane. Monaghan did get back to parity again, but Longford finished the stronger with two points from frees by David Buckley and a good point from play by Bart Hanley, to leave three between them at the finish. Monaghan finished with fourteen players when Jamie Guinan was red carded in stoppage time.

Longford - E Daly; P Corcoran, K Murray, C McLoughlin; G Moore, C Mullane (0-3), B Hanley (0-2); D Buckley (2-8), P Barden; M O’Donohoe, J Casey, C Kavanagh (0-1); R Murray (0-1), D Connell (0-1), D Duggan. Subs: E Tully for K Murray, S O’Brien for M O’Donohoe.

Monaghan - N Butler; C Merrick, P Treanor, J Guinan; C McKenna, C Gernon, M Murphy (0-2); T Campbell (1-1), E Leonard; P McKenna, M Treanor (0-1), C Boyle; B McGuigan (0-3), S Lambe (0-3), F Rafter (0-7, 5f, 1'65). Subs: L McKenna for M Murphy, C Flynn for P McKenna, P McGahon for C Boyle, C Power for L McKenna.

Referee - T Gleeson. 

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