Longford 0-14 Offaly 0-8 A STRONG final quarter earned Longford their first minor crown since 2002 at Croke Park yesterday. It was in stark contrast to Longford's first-round defeat, which saw them lose by 22 points to the same opposition.
Ciarán Fox’s charges scored five unanswered points in the closing 15 minutes to clinch victory.
Scores from Robert Smith and Declan Mimnagh pushed Longford 0-3 to 0-2 ahead in the 20th minute. However points from Peter Cunningham, Derek Kelly and Barry Cushen helped Offaly lead 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval.
LONGFORD:P Collum; D Bennett, D Quinn, R Keogh; C Clarke, J McGivney, S Donohue; D Cooney (0-1), D Gallagher; D Farrelly (0-2), P McCormack (0-1), B McKeon (0-2); R Smith (0-7, five frees), J Noonan, D Mimnagh (0-1). Subs:T Madden for Donohue (27); C Lynn for Farrelly (52).
OFFALY:M Carragher; C Lowry, E Rigney, C Donohoe; S Hannon, D Hogan, D Hanlon; NA Graham (0-4, three frees, one 45), P Camon; S Cullen (0-1), D Kelly (0-1), P Cunningham (0-1); P McPadden, B Cushen (0-1), J O'Connor. Subs:J Brickland for Camon (40 mins); J Gethings for Hanlon (56); I Curry for Lowry (57); A McDonagh for Cullen (59); E McCabe for Kelly (61).
Referee:Joe Curley (Meath)
