A killer of a result, huge opportunity blown. The trap door of division four awaits.
Played with a significant breeze in the opening half. Bizarrely refused to kick the ball though. Last week with the wind at our back in the second half v Tipp we threw in Hegarty at full forward and he was an out ball - today we didnât bother to replicate it. Went in level at the break when we needed a cushion.
Much improved on the resumption. While creating little from open play we tapped over a couple of frees before fine work from the diminutive Peter Nash laid a scrambled goal on a plate for Tom Lee, who was introduced at half time (and impressed).
Five points up, momentum with us, Longford looking out of ideas - and we blew it. Straight from the goal they went up the other end and grabbed a point. Threw over another three points in about five mins and there was only going to be one winner after that. We lacked any cutting edge up front whatsoever. Plenty of possession but it was just slow, ponderous and sideways once we reached our half forward line. We just canât seem to sit on leads. As soon as the goal went in we tried to shut up shop - but failed miserably. Didnât score again and Longford deserved the win for a finish. Their number three was outstanding. Kavanagh and their number 15 did plenty of damage too.
The biggest game the footballers will play this year is now probably in three weeks time versus Clare roasters in NCW. Lose that and we are basically down. Hard to see us getting anything v Kildare or Westmeath (even though theyâve lost two in the trot now). Sligo are a tough nut at home too. Hard to be optimistic. Could be down by the time Offaly come to town in the last round.
Division four is a graveyard. Bar a major turnaround we are heading there. One point out of a possible four is not a great return out of two games that were very winnable.
Lovely little ground Pearse Park but they chose not to open their neat little covered stand. Instead the covered terrace behind the goal and the open terrace on the tv gantry side were open. On a cold, damp, dreary, filthy, rotten day it was rather bizarre.
Highlight of the day was a tremendous carvery in the Longford Arms Hotel coupled with post match refreshments.
Itâs good to be back. I was still getting weekly email updates (thanks @Rocko) during my e-sabbatical so was aware of the latest news on TFK. Disappointed my nominee of Paddy Cosgrave didnât win COTY but his day will come.
Got my hunger back for some top class INTERNETTING in the coming months.
Anyway just off to the R.I.P Munster rugby and anti rugby football threads for a long overdue catch up.
Lost my balls on the townie cunts though, had a fair bit on them -3 in normal time. Was still seething as they romped away in extra time. Just about had enough petrol money left for today.
Belated happy new year to all Limerick GAA folk. Hope you are all well.
The last few times weâve played Longford away in the championship Iâve missed it, between a stag, a wedding and another family engagement. Pearse Park is another ground ticked off the bucket list.
One hell of a journey. An absolutely shocking road, Athlone to Longford is death trap. 3 hours both ways.
A sickening defeat. Longford are not a good side. Sligo beating Westmeath is a terrible result for us too. To be honest thereâs nothing between us, Longford, Sligo, Clare and Offaly in this division.
Have to beat Clare. Iâd take beating them in the league and staying up over beating them in the championship and facing an annihilation from Kerry.
They will be fine. Itâs Croke Park they will be walking on. Not the Bog Garden. Thatâs the only field Limerick Football supporters have been able to invade.
