Longford produced a stunning second-half revival to defeat Laois by 1-10 to 0-12 at Pearse Park.

But there was controversy at the end when Laois had what would have been a clinching goal disallowed for a square ball. That didn't take long to happen, did it? With the old rule still in place for set plays, however, it appears that the decision was the correct one.

The losers dominated proceedings to lead by 0-9 to 0-3 at the end of a low-quality first half.

This was always going to be an intriguing contest between two sides that will play Division Two football next year, Glenn Ryan's charges having won Division Three while Justin McNulty's team were edged out of the top tier during the springtime.

After extensive warm-ups for both camps, the teams started as selected and Colm Begley opened the scoring for the O'Moore men from 30 metres after three minutes.

Ross Munnelly and Darren Strong put the visitors three ahead after ten minutes. Longford captain Paul Barden had sent a goal chance wide and he eventually pointed their opening score after 16 minutes, either side of a Gary Walsh brace as the visitors led by 0-5 to 0-1 going into the second quarter.

The Division Three winners hit two of the next three scores, with Sean McCormack and Brian Kavanagh the scorers and Strong on target again for the visitors, who still led by double scores after half an hour, 0-6 to 0-3.

Billy Sheehan got his name on the scoresheet as the O'Moore men moved five points ahead and Conor Boyle took the last score of the half before the short whistle sounded with six between them.

Longford needed a goal and Barden duly flicked substitute Paul Kelly's delivery to the net to give the home side hope, 0-9 to 1-3 five minutes into the second half.

Munnelly added to Laois' total and Longford goalkeeper Damien Sheridan made an excellent save to deny Kevin Meaney.

David and Paul Barden and Sean McCormack (2) contributed four-in-a-row for Longford, who were within a point, 0-11 to 1-7, with 15 minutes left.

Michael Quinn completed the comeback with a fabulous point and - quite incredibly - McCormack kicked an equally-brilliant score to put Glenn Ryan's side ahead by 1-9 to 0-11. They had outscored their opponents by 1-6 to 0-2 since the restart!

Kavanagh fired over the insurance point on 35 minutes and a late Laois goal was controversially disallowed for a square ball before Colin Kelly tapped over a Laois consolation point from a free.

Longford - D Sheridan; D Brady, B Gilleran, D Reilly; C Smith, M Quinn (0-1), S Mulligan; B McElvanney, J Keegan; D Barden (0-1), P Barden (1-2), N Mulligan; D McElligott, B Kavanagh (0-2), S McCormack (0-4). Subs: P McCormack for N Mulligan, P Kelly for Keegan, F McGee for McElligott, K Diffley for D Barden, N Farrell for McElvanney.

Laois - E Culliton; C Healy, K Lillis, P O'Leary; D Strong (0-2), S Julian, C Boyle (0-1); J O'Loughlin, B Quigley; K Meaney (0-1), B Sheehan, C Begley (0-1); R Munnelly (0-2), P Clancy, G Walsh (0-4). Subs: M Timmons for Julian, C Kelly (0-1) for Munnelly, D O'Connor for Walsh.

Ref - M Duffy (Sligo). Tweet

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