Longford extended their winning run to six games with a deserved victory over Tipperary at Longford. Four points from midfielder Enda Barden in the second half powered Longford to victory and sets them up for a promotion challenge in the coming weeks.

Longford led 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time, having played with the aid of the breeze and they came out strongly at the start of the second half with two quick points to stretch the lead. However, Tipperary went into the lead after 53 minutes when a long ball into the square from Peter Lambert was finished to the net by Des Lyons and they stretched this lead to two points immediately afterwards with another well-taken point.

However, Longford out-scored Tipperary by five points to one in the last 15 minutes to secure their victory.

Longford: G Tonra; P Jones, D Ledwith, B Burke; M Mulleady, D Blessington, E Ledwith; A Keogh, E Barden (0-4, 3 frees); L Keenan, P Barden (0-1), T Smullen; P Davis (0-6, 2 frees), N Sheridan, P Brady. Subs: P Ross (0-1) for P Brady (half-time), S Haggan for L Keenan (64 mins).

Tipperary: C Moloney; N Kelly, C O'Dwyer, L Cronin; D Gleeson, D Peters, S Maher; E Hanrahan, F O'Callaghan (0-2); L England, M Sheehan, N Fitzgerald (0-1); P Lambert (0-3, 2 frees), T Moylan, J Carroll. Subs: D Lyons (1-1) for T Moylan (26 mins), D Hogan for M Sheehan (50 mins), T Connors for N Fitzgerald (59 mins).

Referee: H Beirne (Roscommon).