Longford look set to be without Kevin Smyth for the Leinster championship after he informed manager Glenn Ryan of his plans to spend the summer in the US.

The Abbeylara midfielder's imminent departure is a huge blow to the midlanders, who head into their final NFL Division 4 game against London at Pearse Park on Sunday with only one victory against lowly Kilkenny under their belts. Star forward Brian Kavanagh is also in danger of missing the Leinster championship opener against Louth at Portlaoise on May 25 after breaking a bone in his foot recently.

On the plus side, Clonguish clubman Paddy Dowd - who had announced his inter-county retirement at the age of just 24 late last year due to a back injury - has returned to the fold and scored two points after coming off the bench in last weekend's narrow defeat by Leitrim.

The Dromard pair Jamesie Martin and Cian Mimnagh also made their returns after injury layoffs last Saturday. Tweet

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