Leinster Under-21 FC Final/ Laois 0-9 Longford 0-7: Laois under-21 footballers delivered in a rain-soaked Leinster final before an estimated crowd of 6,500 at Pearse Park in Longford yesterday in a game that was delayed by 10 minutes because of crowd congestion.
Laois's primary attribute is a dogged capacity to go the distance when it is being put up to them. Their resolve could not have been portrayed better as midfielder Damian Murphy (who scored a huge point) Michael Tierney, Donie Brennan and Stradbally's Colm Kelly floated over decisive points in the final quarter.
Longford had opportunities during the vital last 15 minutes but failed to capitalise as they forced three successive 45s against the wind.
The home side would have deserved another chance at least although viewing the video of this match will remind them of how prone they were to enforced error.
Longford included 10 players with National League experience but even their most established men could not be excused for giving away vital possession as Laois collected their seventh title since winning the inaugural year of the competition in 1964.
Laois manager Seán Dempsey said afterwards: "We could have no complaints with the work rate. Maybe the quality was not always great but Longford are sticky opposition. They were always putting it up to us, denying us much freedom around the park.
"Our fellows are always prepared to dig deep. They have big ambition to go far in this competition and they are not prepared to relinquish it without a fight."
Dempsey was most pleased with the manner in which Laois showed true grit in the closing 15 minutes and the nip-and-tuck nature of the game was marked by lengthy intervals between scores. Wides were not always the reason for the low scoring although Longford had eight against five for Laois.
In addition Pat Berry was denied what looked like a legitimate penalty claim in the second half.
The decision by referee Cormac Reilly to award a free instead was part of an erratic performance by the Meath official. The referee showed a hatful of yellow cards and black-book ticks.
The reason for no goals being scored is simply explained for both goalkeepers, Laois's Conor Gorman and Longford's Damian O'Connor, did well with the attempts at goal came their way.
Longford manager Luke Dempsey said he was proud of his team's performance when faced by a strong wind in the second half especially. "I always felt that when it was seven points apiece late in the second half that the next score would settle it." He singled out right wing forward Kevin Smith and the relentless efforts by Brian Kavanagh to keep Longford on track for so long.
Brian Meredith at corner back, Craig Rogers at wing back, Brendan Quigley and David Murphy in midfield, along with front runners, Donie Brennan, Michael Tierney and the two Colm Kellys played big roles in this Laois victory.
LAOIS: C Gorman; C Healy, M Timmons, B Meredith; C Rogers, C Ryan, P O'Leary; B Quigley, D Murphy (0-1); D Brennan (0-1), C Bergin, P McNulty (0-1); M Tierney (0-3, frees,) C Kelly (Stradbally 0-2), C Kelly (St Josephs 0-1). Sub: N Danaher for O'Leary.
LONGFORD: D O'Connor; N Farrell, D Gillian, K Moran; S Mulligan, D Masterson, P Foy; B McElvanney, E Farrell; K Smith, P Dowds (0-1), P Berry; S McCormack, B Kavanagh (0-4), F Magee (0-1). Subs: E Gallagher (0-1) for McCormack. C Flynn for E Farrell.
Referee: C Reilly (Meath).
