Longford bowed out of the Leinster senior football championship following a 3-19 to 3-12 defeat to Meath at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
Meath opened up a seven-point lead 14 minutes from time before both sides scored 2-2 during the closing stages.
The visitors got off to a flying start leading 0-10 to 0-3 inside 25 minutes. Jayson Matthews, Darren Gallagher and Daniel Reynolds on target for Longford.
James Conlon found the net on 25 minutes as Meath moved 13 points clear. Five minutes later, Jason Matthews replied with a goal for Longford making it six-point game.
Meath finished the first half impressively. Two points from Eoghan Frayne helped Colm O’Rourke’s men lead 1-13 to 1-6 at half-time.
Meath found another gear after the restart. Jordon Morris pushed the Royal County ten points clear on 46 minutes.
Longford responded impressively. Scores from Mark Hughes, Dylan Farrell and Jayson Matthews left seven points between them on 56 minutes.
Frayne registered a penalty goal for Meath on 62 minutes. Five minutes later, Mark Hughes replied with a goal for Paddy Christie’s men.
Two quickfire goals followed, one for either side. Cian McBride found the net two minutes from time, Longford’s Darren Gallagher replied within 60 seconds.
Longford finished by landing two of the last three scores but still fell short. The Midlanders are headed for the Tailteann Cup.
