Paul O’Hehir reports from Croke Park
Dublin 2-19 Longford 1-13
27/05/01:Tommy Carr has plenty to mull over in the run up to Dublin’s Leinster semi-final date with Offlay on June 17th after watching his side throw together a muddled performance despite victory over Longford at Croke Park this afternoon.
In truth Dublin were never really tested by Longford who, at times appeared overawed by the occasion, but, Carr will surely question a poor first half performance that yielded over ten wides and shocking defending which time and again gifted the Longford attack opportunity to penetrate.
Given that this was Dublin’s first championship outing of the campaign and that they will improve, complacency can be overlooked.However if Dublin are to entertain notions of a fruitful summer, fine tuning is required before they face Offaly.
Dublin were slow into their stride and trailed early on after successful conversions from Longford corner forward’s Pauric Davis and James Murray.
Davis was particularly effective in the opening exchanges and together with Paul Barden caused havoc down the left side, tormenting Martin Cahill and Tomas Lynch.
Dublin, having kicked some appalling wides, soon found a rhythm.Slick hand passing from defence worked its way through the ranks where the enterprising Senan Connell and Jason Sherlock were on hand to record scores.
After eleven minutes, another well worked Dublin move set Sherlock off on a meandering run.Having dodged and swerved his way into the Longford area, he flicked the ball into the path of the unmarked Wayne McCarthy who composed himself before drilling the ball high into Gavin Tonra’s goal.
Credit where credit is due. Longford kept their heads and maintained a relentless assault on the Dublin defence.Dublin full back Paddy Christie had the measure of burley full forward Niall Sheridan, forcing Longford to spread their attack to the flanks.
With ball after ball leaking through the Dublin half-back line, Carr introduced Jonathon McGee for Peadar Andrews who was found wanting on more than one occasion.
McGee instilled a calming effect in the heart of the defence, pushing the excellent Paul Curran to his right with Lynch taking up post at the left half back slot.
Davis pointed again from a free while Trevor Smullen, Enda Ledwith and David Blessington bridged Longford’s deficit to a single point at half-time.Dublin led 1-7 to 0-9.
Dublin emerged a different team after the break.Half-time substitute Colin Moran - on for Niall O'Donoghue - was superb and finished the game off with a well placed goal midway through the half.
From there, Ciaran Whelan - scorer of five points - and Darren Homan secured the midfield and turned catalyst for each Dublin attack.Sherlock, Connell and Vinny Murphy - a replacement for Enda Sheehy - scored for fun.
Pauric Davis grabbed a late goal for Logford but at that stage Michael McCormack’s team had reached the point of no return.Dublin showed glimpses of real potential and should have the measure of Offaly in the next round.