Longford stage comeback to gain promotion

Longford completed a remarkable comeback in Pearse Park to edge Wicklow by a single point and secure promotion to Division Three.

Wicklow looked to be in complete control for long stretches and made a blistering start. However, the hosts turned it around late-on.

A last gasp Dessie Reynolds fisted point saw Longford win out 2-21 to 2-20.

Liam O’Toole opened the scoring before Fergal Quinn and Eoin Darcy added points to put the visitors three clear inside five minutes.

Their early dominance was rewarded with a goal when Padraig O’Toole found the net, despite a check for a possible square ball, to leave Wicklow 1-3 to 0-0 ahead.

Longford struggled badly in the opening quarter. However, Oran Kenny and Daniel Reynolds eventually got them on the board.

Wicklow continued to punish errors and their second goal arrived in the 19th minute. Oisin McGrainer struck after Dylan Farrell was dispossessed, opening up an 11-point lead.

By then, the visitors were playing with speed and confidence, and Longford looked in serious trouble.

However, Longford steadied themselves before the break. Dessie and Daniel Reynolds chipped in, and a two-point free from Dylan Farrell deep in first-half stoppage time cut the deficit. Still, Wicklow held a commanding 2-9 to 0-9 lead at half-time.

Longford stage massive comeback

The second-half initially followed the same pattern. Wicklow stretched their lead again through Oisin McCreamer, Eoin Darcy and Kevin Quinn.

By the time Peter Lynn pointed in the 59th minute, the visitors were 2-17 to 0-15 ahead.

That was the point where the game turned. Longford refused to go away and sparked the comeback with a goal from Oisin O’Toole in the 63rd minute.

Paddy Moran followed with a point, and then struck for a crucial second goal to leave just a point between the sides. Suddenly Pearse Park was alive and Longford had all the momentum.

Wicklow responded through Dean Healy, Mark Jackson and Jonathan Carolan to keep their noses in front.

Joseph Hagan was central in the closing stages, levelling the match twice, while Cian Brady also clipped over a vital equaliser.

With the game tied at 2-20 apiece in stoppage time, Longford found one last score to snatch victory and promotion in dramatic fashion.

Dessie Reynolds popping up in stoppage time to fist over a point and secure promotion to division three.