Antrim see off Longford comfortably to move into promotion picture

Antrim 1-19 Longford 0-12

Antrim are right in the mix for promotion from Division Three after a comprehensive win over a poor Longford side at Corrigan Park on Saturday afternoon. This defeat leaves Longford back in relegation trouble.

The Saffrons made the perfect start to the game when they were awarded a penalty just seconds in, after Odhrán Eastwood was hauled down. Tomás McCann made no mistake with the spot-kick.

McCann then added a point and Antrim kicked over three more points to extend the lead to seven in the 12th minute. Longford's first score came in the 13th minute; Jack Duggan was fouled and Darren Gallagher kicked over the resulting free. Gallagher was Longford's only scorer in the first half, kicking over two more frees.

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Wing back Marc Jordan got up to get a good point in the 18th minute while Conor Murray scored the best point of the half in the 23rd minute. Antrim drove at Longford and the Midlanders couldn't come. They were ahead 1-11 to 0-3 at the break.

Sub Oran Kenny got Longford's first point for play in the 36th minute. Antrim replied through Ryan Murray and Tomás McCann. Jack Duggan hit over a neat point for Longford in the 44th minute.

Longford tried to stay with Antrim but Enda McGinley’s side were excellent with Marc Jordan and Conor Murray, superb throughout.

Substitute Mark Shivers came on and kicked over two neat points. Longford got the final points of the game through Gallagher (free), Kenny and Jayson Matthews (free). They finished the game with 14 men after Eoghan McCormack received two yellows.

ANTRIM: O Kerr; E McCabe, R Johnston, P Healy; P McAleer, J Laverty, M Jordan (0-1); M McCann, M Johnston; R Murray (0-3, one free), D McAleese, C Murray (0-6, one free, one mark) ; T McCann (1-3, 1-0 pen), R McCann (0-2, one free, one 45), O Eastwood (0-2, one free).

Subs: B McCormick for M Cann (57mins), P Shivers (0-2) for M Johnston (60), P McCormick for R Murray (64), E Hynds for T McCann (68).

LONGFORD: P Collum; P Fox, A Farrell, B O'Farrell; J Moran, PJ Masterson, I O'Sullivan; R Moffett, D Gallagher (0-4, four frees); J Hagan, E McCormack, D Farrell; J Duggan (0-1), J Matthews (0-3, three frees), A McGuire.

Subs: O Kenny (0-2) for D Farrell (30 mins), Daniel Reynolds for A McGuire (45), K Diffley for R Moffett (48), M Hughes (0-1) for J Hagan (52), C Dooner (0-1) for J Duggan (57).

Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh).