Offaly’s footballers wallop Lennon’s lethargic Longford

Scoreline:

Offaly 3-15

Longford 1-10

By Pierce O’Reilly

"That’s what happens when you don’t train," Longford manager Noel Lennon said, clearly disgusted with his side’s performance against Offaly Sunday at Gaelic Park.

"I’ve tried everything to get the lads to train, but only about six will turn up," he said.

The Longford legend headed hastily for the dressing room after another humiliating defeat for the Midlanders. Longford, like Roscommon’s footballers, are now fighting for survival in the Senior "B" division.

On Sunday, Offaly were majestic. Midfielder David Henry was outstanding and each of his three points from play were classic. At center forward, Doon native Donie Ryan rattled over 1-5, while elsewhere in attack Offaly moved the ball with pace and panache.

Offaly are back in business and obviously eager to make up for their late slump against Rockland last year. At the interval they led 1-10 to 1-3 with Noel Coughlan shooting the goal after just 10 minutes. Points from Henry, Brendan Moran, Donie Ryan and Danny Leavy gave them a commanding lead and they never looked back.

Weekenders John Toal and Martin O’Rourke played their hearts out for Longford. However, they plowed a lone furrow for the entire hour. Elsewhere, Longford lacked focus and force.

Armagh native O’Rourke did manage to hit the net from the penalty spot with 10 minutes to play in the first half, but Moran and Leavy responded in style, with crucial points before the interval for Offaly.

The second half was dire for Longford. Offaly ran riot in attack and kicked points seemingly at will from every angle. Donie Ryan hit two wonderful points early on and then landed a great goal from 20 yards.

The former UCG student pulled the trigger when the opening arose and his low shot to the right corner of the net gave Aidan Markey no chance in the Longford goal.

Henry and Nigel Kearny added late points, while full forward Leavy hit goal number three with time running out.

Offaly will meet stiffer opponents before the end of the summer, Longford are history for this year.

Offaly: Kieran Farrelly, Mark Dolan, Sean Nolan, Pat Leavy, Warren Beatty, Colm Scanlon, Mike Dolan, John Higgins, David Henry 0-3, Noel Coughlan 1-0, Donie Ryan 1-5, Nigel Kearney 0-3, Pat Tracey, Danny Leavy 1-2, Brendan Moran 0-2.

Longford: Aidan Markey, Kieran McGann 0-1, David Kohoe, John Cranny, Sean McCann, Francis O’Brien 0-1, Liam Keehan, John Toal 0-3, Colm Rabbitte, Martin O’Rourke 1-3, Kevin O’Brien, Declan Bracken, Darren Meaney, Kieran Toner. Subs, Brendan Donoghue, Breandan Lennon, Colm Ferguson 0-2.