In the end this round robin tie at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, on Saturday evening proved of no consequence as Wexford's draw with Wicklow at Aughrim meant it was they who qualified for the June 11th meeting with Dublin at Croke Park.

This was a match in which Longford were the dominant side. That was to be expected given the fact they had the incentive to win and hope that Wicklow would do them a favour by beating Wexford.

This match will be remembered primarily for the quality of Longford's number 15 Pauric Davis. The Father Manning Gaels clubman scored eight points from play and one from a free.

Davis, along with fellow forwards Sean Hagan and Trevor Smullen, were in superb form as Longford built up a 0-8 to 0-4 interval lead, having played into the strong wind. It took Carlow 15 minutes to score through Derek Donohoe.

Longford's points in the opening minutes of the second half from midfielder Paul Ross and Pauric Davis stretched their lead.

Carlow had two moments of consolation in the form of their first goals of the championship. The first came on 46 minutes when defender Johnny Kavanagh stormed forward to give Longford's Gavin Tonra no chance.

The second Carlow goal came with five minutes remaining from substitute Brian Kelly, following a scramble in the Longford goalmouth.

Longford: G Tonra; E Ledwith, B Burke, P Jones; M Mulleady, D Blessington, C Confrey (0-1); P Ross (0-1), L Keenan; B Brady, P Barden, S Hagan, (0-2); T Smullen (0-4), N Shridan (0-1), P Davis (0-9). Sub: P SHanley for Barden.

Carlow: J Brennan, J Kavanagh (1-1), A Corden, B Hannon; C Kelly, S O'Brien, J McGrath; P Nolan, P Kiernan (0-1); M Dowling (0-1), S Kavanagh, J Morrissey; R Donnelly, J Nevin (0-3), D Donohoe (0-1). Subs: B Kelly (1-0) for Donnelly, C McDonald (0-1) for Nolan.

Referee: M McBrien (Fermanagh).