London senior football team manager Michael Maher. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Four
London 1-8 Tipperary 0-11
London veteran and former Laois star Cahir Healy was the hero for Michael Maher’s London side, as they tied this clash with Tipperary right at the death to earn their first point of the 2024 league campaign. Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials) opened Tipperary’s account before London got off the mark nearly 10 minutes in from Patrick Dolan.
It was tit-for-tat throughout much of this contest, as Tipp struggled to break down their hosts stubborn defence. Just when it looked as if the Premier County might open up a gap, Ruairi Rafferty brought London level at half-time thanks to a goal and point combo just before the break.
Cathal Lacey nudged London in front after the restart with two-points before picking up a serious injury which led to an 11-minute stoppage. Cahir Healy dramatically levelled for London in the dying minutes of this stoppage time, cancelling out what Tipp likely thought was a Jack Kennedy winner in the fourth minute of overtime.
Leitrim 3-7 Wexford 2-9
There were dramatic scenes in the closing stages at Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, when Ryan O’Rourke penalty conversion in the fifth minute of stoppage flipped the result in Leitrim’s favour, just when it looked as if Niall Hughes’ goal for Wexford might have been enough to give the Model County a dramatic and invaluable away win.
Leitrim went in at half-time 2-2 to 0-5 up. O’Rourke grabbed both goals in the first-half before finishing up with an impressive 3-3 total by the game’s end. Barry McNulty kept Leitrim in front before a Ben Brosnan roared his Wexford colleagues to life with a goal in the 44th minute.
Liam Coleman and Kevin O’Grady hit points that kept Wexford within striking distance, and strike they did through Hughes on the hour mark.
Impressive centre back Páraic Hughes strode forward to kick what looked like the insurance point after Darragh Rooney left a point between the sides with a free, but a foul on Barry McNulty gave O’Rourke the golden ticket and a chance to snatch it for Leitrim, which in his current form, was never going to wasted.
