Tailteann Cup R2B: Longford edge out Clare

Tailteann Cup Round 2B

Longford 2-17 Clare 1-18

By Eoin Brennan at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg

Level for the sixth time by the 63rd minute, it was Longford that demonstrated their greater appetite to extend their championship season and progress to the last 12 of the Tailteann Cup.

In truth, it was nothing less than the Leinster side deserved for their impressively relentless display as they always seemed able to answer anything that the home side could throw at them over the 70 minutes.

Once a feared fortress, Cusack Park hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for new manager Paul Madden this year as between Allianz League, Munster Championship and now two outings in the Tailteann Cup, Clare can only boast a February victory over Laois in six home outings in 2026.

Having been humbled by Offaly only a fortnight earlier at the same venue, one expected a Banner backlash, and while they were better, they were still far too reactive rather than proactive.

Instead, a more assured Longford dominated the middle third to take the game to Clare from the outset, welcoming the sizeable conditions to keep their noses in front throughout the opening period.

An Aaron Griffin inspired Clare did level matters on three occasions, but they would be outdone by excellent two-pointers for Oran Kenny and Dylan Farrell to shade matters by the break at 0-8 to 0-7.

Longford kept up that pace on the resumption with experienced forward Daniel Reynolds unlucky to see an early goal chance just clear the crossbar.

Instead, it was Clare who looked to finally kickstart their challenge with the opening goal in the 47th minute, with returning duo Dermot Coughlan and captain Cillian Rouine combining for the latter to roof to the net at 1-08 to 0-10.

That was the first time that Clare had snatched the whip hand but it last a mere 30 seconds as Longford immediately answered with a Matthew Flynn two-pointer.

Goalkeeper Eoin McGuinness also prevented centre-back Rouine from scoring a second goal in the 49th minute as placed balls for Kenny and Farrell saw Longford inch back in front at 0-14 to 1-09 by the turn of the final quarter.

With the introduction of talismanic forward Emmet McMahon off the bench for his competitive bow for the season, Clare seemed to have turned a corner when he kicked two rousing points from the left corner while Alan Sweeney and the impressive Aaron Griffin also chipped in with points to power 1-13 to 0-14 clear entering the final ten minutes.

However, a determined Longford refused to adhere to the home script as despite seeing another Reynolds goal attempt flash wide of the target, a subsequent goalmouth scramble saw man-of-the-match Dylan Farrell steer the ball to the right corner and reclaim the lead at 1-14 to 1-13.

Aaron Griffin equalised, but it would only be a temporary reprieve as by then Longford could smell an upset and quickly went about clinching victory with a 1-3 unanswered two minute rally.

Dylan Farrell (2) and substitute Aaron Farrell created a gap before Oran Kenny put the result beyond any doubt with a 66th minute counter-attack goal at 2-17 to 1-14.

To their credit, Clare didn’t wallow in self-pity as with a minute they had slashed the arrears to just two by means of two-pointers for Aaron Griffin and Emmet McMahon.

The Banner were simply unable to find a third to force extra-time as Mike Solan’s side hung on to seal their place in Round Three in a fortnight’s time.

Scorers for Longford: Dylan Farrell (1-7, 1tp, 2f); Oran Kenny (1-4, 1f, 1tp); Daniel Reynolds, Matthew Flynn (1tp) (0-2 each); Paddy Moran, Aaron Farrell (0-1 each)

Scorers for Clare: Aaron Griffin (0-7, 1tp); Mark McInerney (1f, 1’45), Emmet McMahon (1tp) (0-4 each); Cillian Rouine (1-0); Dermot Coughlan, Fionn Kelleher, Alan Sweeney (0-1 each)

Longford: Eoin McGuinness; Patrick Fox, Bryan Masterson, Cian Brady; Peter Lynn, Ronan Sweeney, Niall Farrelly; Oisin O’Toole, Daire Duggan; Daniel Reynolds, Joseph Hagan, Matthew Flynn; Dylan Farrell, Paddy Moran, Oran Kenny

Subs: Aaron Farrell for Hagan (50), James Moran for Flynn (57), Matthew Carey for Moran (60), Conor Smith for Sweeney (63, inj).

Clare: Tristan O’Callaghan; Manus Doherty, Ronan Lanigan, Ikem Ugwueru; Alan Sweeney, Cillian Rouine, Brendy Rouine; Brian McNamara, Cillian Brennan; Connor Meaney, Aaron Griffin, Fionn Kelleher; Mark McInerney, Cormac Murray, Dermot Coughlan

Subs: Joe Rafferty for Murray (21-29, BS), Emmet McMahon for Murray (54), Eoin Cleary for Brennan (67), Josh Vaughan for Kelleher (67).

Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway).