Longford bowed out of the Leinster senior football championship after losing 1-12 to 1-11 to Offaly at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
The game was evenly contested throughout. The sides were tied at 0-7 to 1-4 at half-time before Offaly narrowly edged the second-half scoring stakes.
Offaly started impressively and Peter Cunningham’s goal on eight minutes saw the Faithful county lead 1-1 to no score.
Longford eventually settled into the game. Four points from Darren Gallagher and one from Joseph Hagan saw them draw level 17 minutes later.
Further points from Hagan and Dylan Farrell gave Longford a two-point lead on 28 minutes. Two points in three minutes saw Offaly drew level by half-time.
Gallagher’s goal gave Longford a two-point lead on 43 minutes. Points from Dylan Hyland and Cian Farrell saw Offaly level the scoreboard five minutes later.
Mickey Quinn gave Longford a one-point lead on the hour mark before points from Farrell and Lee Pearson edged Offaly in front two minutes later.
Bernard Allen doubled Offaly’s lead two minutes from time. Iarla O’Sullivan replied deep into injury time but an equaliser proved elusive.
Longford now turn their attention to the Tailteann Cup while Offaly face Meath in the next round of the Leinster championship.
