Galway get on track

ALL-IRELAND MFC QUARTER-FINAL Galway 0-10 Longford 1-6: LONGFORD’S fairytale campaign came to a disappointing end at Hyde Park…

ALL-IRELAND MFC QUARTER-FINAL Galway 0-10 Longford 1-6:LONGFORD'S fairytale campaign came to a disappointing end at Hyde Park on Saturday.

Longford, hammered 2-19 to 0-3 by Offaly in the opening round of the Leinster championship, recovered to gain revenge over the same opposition to secure their fourth provincial crown in the grade.

But their hopes of a first All-Ireland minor football title came unstuck as Galway recovered from their Connacht final defeat to a book a place in the last four.

The Tribesmen advanced thanks to a great scoring burst from Peadar Ó Griofa in the second half.

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Longford looked to be back on track when Robbie Smith pounced to finish to the net after 45 minutes to put them 1-4 to 0-5 in front.

But the switch of Ó Griofa to full-forward proved decisive as he found the range from a variety of angles to haul back into contention.

GALWAY: J Keane; P Ezergalis, J Shaughnessy, P Varley; F O Bearra, M Kelly, T Curran; E Commins, F O Curraoin; N Quinn, P Ó Griofa (0-5, two frees), S Maughan (0-1, free); C O'Neill (0-1), C Rabbitte (0-3), N Walsh. Subs: T Flynn for Quinn (37 mins), D Black for Ó Bearra (39 mins), J Vaughan for Ezergalis (43 mins), A Varley for O'Neill (47 mins).

LONGFORD: P Collum; D Bennett, D Quinn, R Keogh; C Clarke, J McGivney (0-1, free), S Donohoe; D Cooney (0-1, free), D Gallagher; J Noonan (0-1), P McCormack, D Farrelly (0-1); B McKeon (0-1); R Smith (1-1, 0-1 free), D Mimnagh. Subs: C Lynn for Farrelly (53 mins), O Farrell for Mimnagh (59 mins).

Referee: R O'Donnell(Donegal).