Longford opened their Allianz Football League division four campaign with a narrow defeat at the hands of Laois.
The hosts were six points clear on the hour mark and held off a late Longford rally to win 1-12 to 2-7 at Laois Hire O’Moore Park.
Laois made a blistering start. Points from goalkeeper Killian Roche, Damon Larkin and Niall Dunne saw them lead 0-3 to 0-0 inside 12 minutes.
Ryan Moffett opened Longford’s account three minutes later. Cathal McCabe added another point on 18 minutes making it a one-point game.
The visitors failed to score for the remainder of the half. Five scores on the bounce saw Laois led 0-7 to 0-2 at half-time.
Longford were awarded a penalty on 46 minutes. Darren Gallagher found the net and suddenly, it was a one-point game; 0-9 to 1-5.
Damon Larkin replied with a goal for Laois three minutes later. Killian Roche subsequently made it a six-point game on 57 minutes.
Longford’s Cathal McCabe and Laois’ Mark Barry traded scores as the visitors trailed by six points on the hour mark; 1-12 to 1-6.
A late Longford onslaught followed. Mark Hughes registered a point on 67 minutes before Dylan Farrell scored a goal three minutes into injury time leaving one point between them.
An equlaiser proved elusive however as Longford got their league campaign off to a losing start.
