N.Y. GAA Offaly hold out against Longford

By Mike Fitzpatrick

Offaly 1-14, Longford 2-6

In this senior football Div. II battle at Gaelic Park on Sunday, Longford were disappointing to say the least, having done so well last year in making the playoffs, where they were beaten by eventual champions Kerry.

The game opened with five consecutive, and unanswered points from Offaly’s Paul Glennon, Mark Scanlon, Pat Treacy and Pat Leavy.

Longford got on the scoreboard thanks to a couple of points from the highly talented New York player, Kevin Lilly.

An early substitution from the Longford bench brought on the supremely competitive Phil Bermingham, who subsequently was booked because of his overzealous tackling. Bermingham tussled his way into the game, and provided a massive thorn in the side of the Offaly attack.

Offaly’s Brendan Lynch hit the bar, though his follow up effort flew into the back of the Longford net to give his side a seven point lead. Offaly followed up with registered efforts from the on-form David Reynolds, who hit four points, and Lynch with one more to increase his sides tally. Although Longford hit back thanks to a Kieran Toner goal, and further efforts from Lilly, Offaly entered the break still clutching a seven point advantage.

Offaly continued their attacking play after the break, and before long held a 10-point advantage. Longford attempted to switch things around by bringing on Tommy O’Brien and Nigel Kearney, but their rival’s superiority could not be matched.

Despite Brendan Donoghue’s late goal for Longford, another couple of Lynch points, and Reynolds adding to his tally resulted in a five point victory for Offaly.

Offaly: Tom Furlong, John Hannify, Enda Condron, Pat Leavy (0-1), Mark Dolan, Sean Nolan, Mike Dolan, John Higgins, Colm Scanlon, Paul Glennon (0-2), David Reynolds (0-5), Mark Scanlon (0-2), Pat Treacy (0-1), Brendan Lynch (1-3), Dessie O’Connor, Subs: Dan Sheehan

Longford: Kieran McGann, Dave Harrington, Brendan Lennon, John McGuiney, Marty McGivern, Brendan Donoghue (1-0), Barry Kavanagh, Ray Baxter, Mike Bishop, Kieran Toner (1-0), Mike McKenna (0-2), Kevin O’Brien, Aidan McGoldrick, Kevin Lilly (0-4), Pat O’Halloran. Subs: Phil Bermingham, Tommy O’Brien, Dessie McGoldrick, Nigel Kearney.

Man of the match: Colm Scanlon (Offaly)

Referee: Philip Sheridan.