Hurling Kehoe Cup/Athlone IT 0-21 Longford 1-5: Backboned by players from Galway, Athlone IT experienced little difficulty in overcoming the challenge of hurling minnows Longford in their Kehoe Cup first-round tie at the Slashers Ground.
The visitors held a 0-14 to 1-1 lead at the break, with four of their points coming from centre forward Shane Dooley, son of former Offaly star Joe Dooley.
The Longford goal was credited to John Minnock, who flicked a Declan Donoghue free to the net midway through the first half - and that was their only score from play, as all their points came from frees by Joe McDermott.
ATHLONE IT: D Burke; A Flaherty, N Corcoran, P Donohoe; S Flaherty, R Ryland, P Madden (0-1); P Flynn, K Briscoe (0-3, frees); D Whyte (0-4), S Daly (0-5), M Nestor (0-1); K Coen (0-3), M Sweeney (0-1), B Smyth (0-2, one free). Subs: J Brett for A Flaherty, P Tuohy for Donohoe, C Kelly (0-1) for Coen (all half-time), E Cleary for Nestor (45 mins).
LONGFORD: B Kirby; B McGlynn, T Stakem, S Connolly; D Corcoran, B Stakem, C Finnucane; E Corcoran, F Daly; S Lynam, D Donoghue, J McDermott (0-5, frees), H O'Kane, J Minnock (1-0), M Coyle. Subs: C Bracken for McGlynn (half-time), J Cullen for Connolly (43 mins), B Doyle for Minnock (45 mins), Minnock for Finnucane (56 mins), Connolly for Lynam (60 mins).
Referee: R Cornally (Westmeath).
