Longford show mettle in edging out Clare
JACK SHEEDY'S Longford progressed are into the third round of the Qualifiers after edging out Clare, 2-12 to 1-12, in Ennis on Saturday.
Despite being reduced to 14 men in the final quarter, it was Longford who finished the stronger to snatch victory.
The sides were level when the visitors were reduced to 14 men in the 59th minute when Diarmuid Masterson was dismissed but Sheedy's men showed good mettle to score the last three points and secure victory.
In the opening half Seán Collins' injury-time strike had ensured the Munster representatives of the narrowest of leads, 1-7 to 1-6.
Brian Kavanagh's sixth minute penalty was the difference between the sides after ten minutes, 1-2 to 0-2. Liam Connerton and Kavanagh (free) notched the early points for the midlanders, with Gary Brennan (free) and David Tubridy on target for the Banner.
Michael Quinn and Eoin Cleary (free) traded points before the end of the first quarter. After further points were swapped, another Tubridy free reduced the arrears to two points with 23 minutes played. Nine minutes from the break, the lead changed hands when Dean Ryan pounced for a Clare goal - 1-5 to 1-4.
SFC QUALIFER