A marvellous scoring display by Wicklow full forward Keith Byrne helped to blast Longford out of the All-Ireland football championship series at the first hurdle at Aughrim on Saturday night.

Byrne assumed the mantle of leader of the Wicklow attack in the absence of the Rathnew duo Ronan Coffey and Tommy Gill - both serving red card suspensions - as he blasted home a goal and five points. There was an explosive start to the game with three players sent off in the first 24 minutes. Longford had corner forward Padraic Davis dismissed in the first minute after an off-the-ball incident. He was joined on the sideline seven minutes later by Wicklow centre forward Gary Doran, while the home side were down to 13 men on 24 minutes after centre back Colm Toomey was red carded by Tyrone referee Michael Hughes.

Wicklow led by 1-6 to 0-4 at the break, the game's only goal coming on 19 minutes when Byrne was placed inside the Longford defence by a fine through-ball from Tony Hannon; he jinked around goalkeeper Gavin Tonra before hammering his shot to the back of the net.

Wicklow took control early in the second half with Barry O'Donovan and Brendan O hAnnaidh starring in defence and extended their lead to nine points, 113 to 0-7, with just 10 minutes left and the game was effectively out of Longford's reach.