A strong display from Carlow saw them claim a deserved win over Longford and secure a home game in the preliminary quarter-final of the Tailteann Cup.
Niall Carew's side were full value for their win. They were physical, fit and hungry; they wanted the win more than their opponents. They all worked hard for each other.
Carlow created three goal chances in the opening half and scored two. Their first goal came in the 11th minute; Mikey Bambrick finding the back of the net. He just waltzed through the Longford defence.
In the 20th minute Darragh Foley played the ball to Colm Hulton but he dragged his effort just wide. In the 32nd minute Carlow got their second goal; Conor Crowley did well and he passed to Shane Clarke who was brought down in the area. His brother Jamie dispatched the penalty past Longford keeper Paddy Collum.
Carlow’s lead would’ve been greater at the break had they not conceded a number of soft frees. Oran Kenny (3) and Dylan Farrell (3) duly pointed over the frees. Longford scored just three points from play in the first half through Kenny (2) and Joseph Hagan.
Longford were just ahead once in the first half; that came in the 21st minute when Dylan Farrell hit over a free. Carlow were guilty of being wasteful in that first half, kicking a number of wides.
Both sides kicked scores before the break as Carlow led by two - 2-05 to 0-09.
Longford gave away possession cheaply in the opening exchanges of the second half. They also looked laboured at times.
Twice in the second half Carlow were ahead by three points. A fine point from Aaron Farrell drew Longford level in the 50th minute. Two minutes later Longford captain and corner-back Paddy Fox got up to score a goal for his side and put them in front by three. Minutes later Mickey Quinn received a black card.
Carlow used their numerical advantage very well and Longford struggled to contain them with captain Darragh Foley leading the line. They were level in the 65th minute with three Foley frees.
A fine score from the forward from play edged his side in front again and this time they didn’t relinquish the lead. Sub Aaron Amond and Conor Crowley scored late points in a fine win for Carlow.
Carlow: Johnny Furey; Shane Buggy, Mikey Bambrick, Josh Moore; Shane Clarke, Mark Furey, Niall Hickey; Conor Doyle, Jordan Morrissey; Conor Crowley, Ciaran Moran, Ross Dunphy; Colm Hulton, Darragh Foley, Jamie Clarke.
Subs: Jonah Dunne for Buggy and Aaron Amond for Moran (57), Eric Molloy for Hickey (66), Liam Brennan for Doyle and Finbarr Kavanagh for Hulton (70+2)
Longford: Paddy Collum; Paddy Fox (1-00), Andrew Farrell, Bryan Masterson; Iarla O'Sullivan, Mickey Quinn, Peter Lynn; Ryan Moffett, Darren Gallagher; Joseph Hagan (0-02), Dessie Reynolds, Aaron Farrell (0-01); Keelin McGann, Dylan Farrell (0-04,4f), Oran Kenny (0-06,3f).
Subs: Darragh Doherty (0-01) for Kenny (43), Tadhg McNevin for A Farrell (50), Barry O’Farrell for Lynn (63), Matt Duffy for D Farrell (70+1)
