A point from Daniel Reynolds right at the death saw Longford defeat Wicklow in a hugely dramatic finish as the Midlanders snatched promotion to Division 3.
It was a stunning second half displays by Longford who were down by 11 points at one stage in that half. They never gave up and Wicklow were left wondering how a game they dominated for so long, go away from them.
The Garden County took the game to Longford from the very first minute. Wicklow won the majority of the kick-outs from Longford keeper Eoin McGuinness in the opening 20 minutes. They created a number of goal chances in the first half and only put away two of them.
Wicklow fired over three early points before Kevin Quinn's pass was fisted to the net by Padraig O’Toole in the sixth minute. An Eoin Darcy free stretched their lead to seven points in the 10th minute.
Longford got their first score of the game in the 11th minute; a point from Daniel Reynolds. Oran Kenny followed up with a neat point for Longford’s second point.
Wicklow responded with 1-4 again without reply. Goalkeeper Mark Jackson kicked over a '45 in the 14th minute. Christopher O’Brien was unlucky not to get a goal in the 15th minute when he fired over for a point.
Quinn had a goal chance in the 18th minute but Longford wingback Peter Lynn was back to clear the ball off the line. Two minutes later they found the back of the net for the second time. A move that started in the half-back line ended with Oisin McGraynor firing to the net.
Minutes later Quinn shot over when he could've shot under. The lead was 12 points. Longford hit back with points from Daniel Reynolds, and one from his older brother Dessie. Dessie did have a chance for a goal. Dylan Farrell fired over a two pointer while Oisin O’Toole flicked the ball over the bar to cut the gap to seven points.
Quinn fired over a point in stoppage time while Farrell kicked over a two pointer free to leave six between the sides at half-time - 2-9 to 0-9.
Wicklow started the second half like they had the first - with a real purpose. O’Toole, O’Brien, McGraynor (free) and Darcy kicked over points to put 10 between the sides after nine minutes of the restart.
Every time Longford got scores Wicklow were able to hit back. Longford needed a goal and in the 56th minute Daniel Reynolds brought a save out of Jackson in the Wicklow goals. Dessie had a goal chance minutes later before O’Toole finally got the goal Longford were searching for.
Momentum was with Longford. Points from Daniel Reynolds and Paddy Moran hit over points. Healy replied for Wicklow before substitute Paddy Moran got a second goal for Longford and the gap was just one in the 67th minute.
Minutes later another substitute Cian Brady drew Longford level.
As the game entered the dying seconds, the drama ramped up. Wicklow edged ahead but Longford came back and right at the end Daniel Reynolds popped up with the vital score to snatch victory as send his side to Division 3.
Longford: Eoin McGuinness; Paddy Fox, Ryan Moffett, Bryan Masterson; Peter Lynn (0-1), Oisín O’Toole (1-1), Dessie Reynolds (0-1); Liam Glennon, Ronan Sweeney; James Moran, Matthew Carey, Daniel Reynolds (0-4); Dylan Farrell (0-7, 1tp, 1tpf), Joseph Hagan (0-3), Oran Kenny (0-2).
Subs: Niall Farrelly for Glennon (ht), Paddy Moran (1-1) for Moran (46), Cian Brady (0-1) for Sweeney (56), Ronan Bleakley for Moffett (70+1)
Wicklow: Mark Jackson (0-2, 2’45); Tom Moran, Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone; Gavin Fogarty, Jonathan Carlin (0-1), Darragh Fee; Dean Healy (0-2), Jack Hardy; Christopher O’Brien (4,1tp), Padraig O’Toole (1-3), Kevin Quinn (0-3); Oisin McGraynor (1-2,1f), Joe Prendegast, Eoin Darcy (0-3,1f).
Subs: Jacques McCall for Fee (30), Cathal Baker for McCall (61), Conor Fee for Darcy (68), Jack Kirwan for Hardy (70+1)
