Sport

Cassidy tilts balance for Longford

A goal from Mark Cassidy 11 minutes into the second half proved the decisive score in Longford's narrow 1-12 to 0-12 win over…

Mon May 06 2002 - 01:00

A goal from Mark Cassidy 11 minutes into the second half proved the decisive score in Longford's narrow 1-12 to 0-12 win over Louth in the National Hurling League Division Three final at Páirc Tailteann in Navan yesterday.

Louth established a 0-6 to 0-1 lead with just 12 minutes gone in the first half, free-taker Sean Byrne accounting for five of the points.

Longford, having narrowed the gap to 0-8 to 0-7 at the interval, lost their way again in the early stages of the second half as Louth established a 0-11 to 0-7 lead.

However, Cassidy's crucial goal changed the game and Longford, with Cathal Stakelum outstanding at centrefield, finished with unanswered points from Eoin Donnellan (free), influential substitute Enda Corcoran, Garret Ghee and Martin Coyle.

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Meanwhile, a goal from a free four minutes into stoppage time by Paul Ward saw Monaghan snatch a dramatic draw against Mayo (4-5 to 1-14) in the Division Four final in Mullingar.

Mayo led at half-time by 1-11 to 1-3, thanks mainly to the accuracy of Frank Browne, with Paul Broderick getting their goal in the 18th minute.

Pat Walsh struck Monaghan's goal from a penalty in the 22nd minute and played a vital part in their second-half turnaround.

Monaghan finished the game with 14 players following the sending off of Arthur Hughes in the 16th minute of the second half for a second bookable offence.

With the sides finishing level, there was a great deal of debate as to whether extra-time would be played, but following a telephone call to the chairman of the GAC, Padraic Duffy, the game now goes to a replay next Saturday.

SCORERS: Longford v Louth: Longford: E Donnellan (0-3, f) M Coyle (0-2), J Lynn (0-1), M Cassidy (1-0), G Ghee (0-5, all frees). E Corcoran (0-1). Louth: C Connolly (0-1), S Byrne (0-9, 8 f), G Collins (0-1), P Dunne (0-1)

Mayo v Monaghan: Mayo: F Browne (0-7), P Higgins (0-6), P Broderick (1-0), D Tiernan (0-1). Monaghan: D Connolly (1-0), P Walsh (1-4), B Reilly (0-1), R Healy (1-0) P Ward (1-0)

LIMERICK (SH challenge v Cork, tonight, 7 p.m., Mungret). A Shanahan; C Smith, TJ Ryan, S McDonogh, J Foley, O Foley, . Lawlor; C Carey, P. Carey; P O'Grady, S Lucey, M O'Brien, J Butler, O O'Neill, D Ryan.