Longford topple senior footballers in semi-final

Sun, 17th January 2016

LONGFORD 1-12 DUBLIN 0-9

Holders Dublin surrendered their grip on the Bord na Móna O'Byrne Cup when losing to hosts Longford by six points in Sunday's semi-final at Glennon Bros Pearse Park.

Liam Connerton's goal in the concluding quarter sealed victory for the home side who led 0-7 to 0-4 at the half-time interval.

Dublin who fielded seven of their All-Ireland winning side narrowed the gap to one point midway through the second half following three points form Dean Rock before the home side pushed their lead back to three points before Connerton goaled to see his side into the final for the first time since 2008.

Connerton struck in the 64th minute as Longford outscored Dublin 1-3 to 0-1 in the last ten minutes with Paul and Barry McKeon tagging on the insurance points for the midlanders.

SCORERS - Longford: R Smyth 0-3 (0-3f), F McGee 0-3 (0-1f), L Connerton 1-0, M Hughes, B Farrell, J McGivney, D Gallagher, P McKeon, B McKeon (0-1f) 0-1 each. Dublin: D Rock 0-3 (0-2f), C Reddin 0-2, D Daly, P Andrews, T Brady, C Costello 0-1 each.

LONGFORD: P Collum; F Battrim, B Gilleran, CP Smyth; A Dalton, D Brady, D Masterson; M Brady, B Farrell; B McKeon, J McGivney, D Gallagher; R Smyth, F McGee, M Hughes. Subs: P McKeon for Hughes (46), D McElligott for Farrell (54), L Connerton for Smyth (60), C Shields for P McKeon (67, BC), P McGee for F McGee (69).

DUBLIN: S Cluxton; J Cooper, J Curley, P McMahon; J McCarthy, J Small, D Daly; C Reddin, D Bastick; T Brady, D Rock, S Carthy; C Costello, P Andrews, C O'Callaghan. Subs: N Scully for Bastick (41), P Ryan for O'Callaghan (50), C Mullally for Carthy (61), M Deegan for Andrews (66).

REF: J Hickey (Carlow).