Longford  3-5 Limerick 2-6:PADDY DOWD was the Longford hero when his late goal clinched a precious win at a bleak and windy Kilmallock yesterday as once again Limerick lost a game in a dramatic finish.

When Seanie Buckley scored his second goal after 69 minutes it seemed the home side would be rewarded for their battling second-half comeback.

The sides were level in a first half that produced only six scores, a total of 0-4 for Longford and Buckley's first goal in addition to a point by Johnny Murphy for the home side.

A pointed free by Frank McGee had Longford in front inside two minutes and further scores by Noel and Declan Farrell made it 0-3 to 0-0 after 19 minutes during which Limerick wasted two goal-scoring chances.

But Longford grabbed a crucial goal 60 seconds after the resumption through Declan Farrell which was followed by a pointed free by Frank McGee. That put Limerick once again four points in arrears, as they were after 25 minutes of action in the opening half.

A goal by Peter Foy midway through the second half had Longford cruising but Buckley's late goal was followed by the last three points of a poor contest.

This defeat could yet have serious implications for Limerick and see them plunge from Division One last season to Division Four next year.

LONGFORD:D Sheridan: P McDonnell, N Farrell (0-2), C Conefrey; D Reilly, A O'Connor, E Williams; L Keenan, P Dowd (1-0); P Foy (1-0), P Barden, P Berry; F McGee (0-2, one free), D Farrell (1-1), B Kavanagh. Subs: S Phillips for Barden, inj, C Casey for Phillips.

LIMERICK:M Jones; D Carroll, D McCarthy, S Gallagher; A Lane, S Lavin, L O'Dwyer; J Marsh, J Galvin; G Collins (0-2), J Ryan, S Buckley (2-0); J Murphy (0-1), D Phelan, I Ryan (0-2). Subs: S Kelly for Ryan, J Cooke for March, P Browne for Lane, M Crowley for Phelan, C Crowley (0-1) for Murphy.

Referee:A Mangan (Kerry).