Senior Footballers lose out to Longford in Dioralyte O’Byrne Cup Final

DUBLIN 0-9 

LONGFORD 1-12

Dublin’s hopes of an 11^th O’Byrne Cup title were dashed as they succumbed to Longford by six points in their Dioralyte O’Byrne Cup final in O’Moore Park on Saturday afternoon.

In a contest played in difficult conditions, the Dubs started relatively well but a scoreless second quarter ensured they entered the break facing a five-point interval deficit.

With the wind at their backs for the second-half, hopes were high that Dublin could raise a comeback but the concession of a goal to Keelin McGann in the 44^th minute effectively ended their ambitions.

It was Dublin that opened the scoring in the 4^th minute with a fine effort into the breeze by Killian McGinnis as they enjoyed a fair degree of possession in the opening exchanges.

Dublin managed to work two early goal chances but both Sean Lowry and Kevin Lahiff saw their efforts blocked with Longford edging into the lead thanks to the contributions of Darren Gallagher and the lively Cathal McCabe.

Another goal opportunity saw Senan Forker crash a powerful effort off the woodwork before Niall Scully restored parity in the 13^th minute.

That score proved Dublin’s final score from play of the half with a McCabe mark pushing the holders a point ahead in the 16^th minute before Brian O’Leary converted a 21^st minute free to leave the teams deadlocked once again.

However, that was the final time that Dublin would be level pegging as their opponents began to avail of the strong breeze at their backs.

Gallagher popped over a couple of frees before late points from Daniel Reynolds and substitute Mark Hughes saw Longford take control by the interval, leading by 0-8 to 0-3.

Another Gallagher free saw Longford extend that advantage but Dublin replied with a degree of urgency as substitute Luke Breathnach and McGinnis (free) brought their deficit back to four points by the 41^st minute.

Any momentum those scores may have generated was quickly eroded as Longford pounced for the game’s solitary goal three minutes later as McCabe raced away from Ben Millist to tee up McGann, who rounded David O’Hanlon before netting.

A Daire Duggan point ensured Dublin faced a mountain to climb with Breathnach and McGinnis bringing the Dubs to within six points by the 60^th minute.

The goal required to ignite their chances never looked likely to materialise despite the generous amounts of possession they enjoyed with points from Luke Swan and Colm Basquel proving of mere consolation value by full-time.

Scorers – Dublin: K McGinnis 0-3 (2f), L Breathnach 0-2, C Basquel (f), L Swan (mark), B O’Leary (f), N Scully 0-1 apiece. Longford: D Gallagher 0-4 (4f), C McCabe 0-3 (1f), K McGann 1-0, J Hagan 0-2, M Hughes, D Duggan, D Reynolds 0-1 apiece.

Dublin: E Comerford; L Smith, L Howley, E O’Dea; A Gavin, S Forker, K Lahiff; P Duffy, E Dunne; C Dolan, N Scully, K McGinnis; C Basquel, B O’Leary, S Lowry. Subs: D O’Hanlon for Comerford (half-time), L Breathnach for Dolan (half-time), B Millist for O’Dea (half-time), E O’Connor Flanagan for Howley (59), E Wilde for O’Leary (59), L Swan for Duffy (60), K McKeon for Lahiff (67).

Longford: P Collum; B O’Farrell, O O’Toole, B Masterson; P Fox, R Moffett, I O’Sullivan; D Gallagher, D Duggan; K McGann, D Reynolds, J Hagan; J Matthews, D Mimnagh, C McCabe. Subs: M Hughes for Mimnagh (24), M Quinn for Reynolds (47), R Harkin for McGann (71), D Finlass for Matthews (73).

Referee: James Foley (Wicklow).