Longford 2-16
Derry 2-14

Longford caused a huge upset at Celtic Park to knock Derry out of the All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers for the third time this evening.

Jack Sheedy's charges, who will ply their trade three divisions below the Oak Leafers in the Allianz League next year, recovered from a slow start to lead by 1-6 to 0-7 at half-time with Paul Barden getting the goal.

Their ability to kick points from long-range proved decisive as they extended their lead on the restart with some fine scores from Brian Kavanagh, Sean McCormack, Barden and full back Barry Gilleran. An out-of-sorts Derry got themselves back on terms with six minutes to go when their captain Mark Lynch scored a stunning goal.

But within a minute, substitute Mark Hughes rattled the net at the other end and, in a frenetic finish, the midlanders held on to record a famous victory and send the Allianz League Division 1 finalists packing.

Everything seemed to be going according to script when points from James Kielt, Enda Lynn and 18-year-old championship debutant Terence O'Brien eased the hosts into an early 0-3 to 0-0 lead. But Longford hit back with scores from Sean McCormack (two) and Kavanagh to regain parity.

Derry, who had Aidan McAlynn back-carded early on, regained the lead through a 50-metre Lynch free. Lynch tagged on two more points and Emmett Bradley also found the target as the hot favourites stretched their advantage to four, 0-7 to 0-3.

Colm P Smyth narrowed the gap before Kavanagh set up Barden for a trademark goal to level it again, 0-7 to 1-4, five minutes before the break. Longford's tails were up now as McCormack and Barden added points to give them a two-point cushion at the interval.

Further scores from Shane Mulligan and the very effective Mickey Quinn pushed the O'Farrell County four points clear on the restart. Full forward O'Brien nailed a '45' for the home side, only for Quinn to hit an instant reply.

Derry narrowed the gap to two with a fisted point from Sean Leo McGoldrick and Mark Lynch's fourth from a free, but the underdogs had restored their four-point lead, 1-11 to 0-10, with 18 minutes to go thanks to points from full back Gilleran and Kavanagh.

O'Brien and Francis McGee traded points before Derry missed the chance to close the gap to the minimum when Enda Lynn blazed wide. A right-footed point from Barden put Longford five clear for the first time before Benny Herron scored a soccer-style goal to leave two points between the sides, 1-11 to 1-13, with 10 minutes remaining.

McCormack steadied Longford with a point, but Derry's momentum was growing and when Lynch crashed a pile-driver to the net with six minutes to go, it was all-square, 2-11 to 1-14.

But just when it seemed the Oak Leafers would go on to win, Mark Hughes restored Longford's three-point lead with a well-taken goal after being set up by Francis McGee. They quickly added another point before Derry responded with two from James Kielt and one from Enda Lynn to leave the minimum in it.

However, Longford weren't to be denied as Brian Kavanagh put them two clear again. Deep into injury-time, Kielt bore down on goal, but Barden came away with the ball and the midlanders could celebrate.

Longford - D Sheridan; D Brady, B Gilleran (0-1), F Battrim; C P Smyth (0-1), E Williams, S Mulligan (0-1); B O'Farrell, K Diffley; M Quinn (0-2), F McGee (0-2), P Barden (1-2); A Rowan, B Kavanagh (0-3, 1f), S McCormack (0-4, 2f). Subs: M Hughes (1-0) for A Rowan, N Mulligan for K Diffley.

Derry - T Mallon; O Duffy, C McKaigue, A McAlynn; G McKinless, M Craig, S L McGoldrick (0-1); M Lynch (1-4, 2f), K Johnston; A Devlin, E Bradley, E Lynn (0-2); J Kielt (0-4, 1f), T O'Brien (0-2), C McFaul. Subs: G O'Kane for A McAlynn (BC), B Heron (1-1, 0-1'45) for O Duffy, N Holly for E Bradley, D McKinless for A Devlin.

Referee - M Higgins. Tweet

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