Longford 2-10
Laois 1-10

Liam Connerton came off the bench to inspire 14-man Longford to victory over Laois in last night's Leinster MFC losers' group clash at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.

The signs looked ominous for the home side, who had pushed Meath all the way in the first round proper, when they had Jason Earley sent off on a straight red card at the end of the opening quarter, but they made light of their numerical disadvantage, going in at the break on level terms and then taking control in the second half.

Connerton entered the fray at half-time and immediately set up a goal for Larry Moran. Rory Connor extended the home side's lead before Connerton added their second goal with 10 minutes remaining to put the result beyond doubt.

Paul Kingston - brother of senior star Donie - netted from a 21-metre free in the closing stages, but it proved to be no more than a consolation score for George Doyle's Laois side, as Longford progressed to a quarter-final meeting with Dublin on May 19.

Longford - C Farrell; M Mulligan, C Farrelly, J Gill; D McGivney (0-1), A McElligott (0-1), J Earley; T Jackson, A Dalton; C Mallon, R McNerney (0-1), S Clarke; L Moran (1-3), R Connor (0-4), L Sullivan. Subs: L Connerton (1-0) for Jackson, K Farrell for Mallon, G Connell for Sullivan, B Walsh for McGivney.

Laois - A O'Reilly; J Bartley, C Dunne, R C Fennell; M Scully, C McEvoy, R Dowling; J Nerney, D Mahon; N Mullins, P Kingston (1-5), D O'Reilly; E Lowry (0-1), E O'Carroll (0-3), D Cullen (0-1). Subs: M Lyons for D O'Reilly, C Hagan for Dowling, N Murphy for Fennell, J Moore for Lowry, N Brennan for Mullins.

Ref - D Fedigan (Louth). Tweet

Most Read Stories