Longford ... 3-13 Carlow ... 0-12Longford, who have ambitions for promotion, were comfortable 10-point winners over an inexperienced Carlow side in bitterly cold conditions at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, yesterday.

Longford, playing into the strong wind, led 1-3 to 0-1 after seven minutes, their goal coming from centre-forward Paul Barden's penalty.

In the 18th minute the visitors' full forward, Niall Sheridan, boxed home a goal after after being set up by Trevor Smullen. One feared Carlow might be over-run but the accuracy from frees of Simon Rea kept the home county in touch.

At half-time Longford led 2-3 to 0-8 but a Sheridan point and a goal from Smullen had them back in control. Carlow rallied and cut the lead to two points but were unable to score the goal that might have ignited a genuine revival.

In the end, as Carlow tired visibly, Longford made good use of the wind and their experienced forwards kicked over a succession of points.

LONGFORD: G Tonra; D Brady, C Coneferey, D Ledwith; M Mulleady, E Ledwith, A O'Connor; L Keenan, J O'Callaghan; P Shanley (0-3), P Barden (1-2), M Kenny; T Smullen (1-3), N Sheridan (1-2), P Davis (0-2). Subs: D Smyth for O'Callaghan, R Clyne (0-1) for Kenny, C Keogh for Keenan, J Nally for D Ledwith, J Martin for Smullen.

CARLOW: J Clarke; B English, B Farrell, J Kavanagh (0-1); J Hayden, J Keogh, W Power; K Doyle, P Tiernan; M Carpenter, J McGrath (0-1), R Sinnott; S Rea (0-9), J Nevin, W Minchin. Subs: B Kelly (0-1) for Nevin, T Bolger for English, G Morrissey for Carpenter, R Burke for Keogh.

Referee: M Ryan (Limerick).