Billy O’Loughlin made a winning start as Longford manager following a 2-13 to 0-14 win over Louth in the O’Byrne cup first round at Clonbonny, Lanesborough.
Longford trailed 12 points to five at half-time before a remarkable second-half display saw the Midlanders finish with five points to spare.
Louth made a blistering start, leading 0-7 to 0-3 at the first water break. The Wee County had seven different scorers while Dylan Farrell (two) and Darren Gallagher were on target for Longford.
Louth stretched the margin to eight points on 27 minutes but Longford reduced the gap to seven points at half-time after hitting two of the next three scores.
Mickey Harte’s men moved eight points clear on 50 minutes when Gerard Browne slotted over a point but the visitors would fail to score thereafter.
Longford staged a remarkable comeback hitting 2-7 without reply; Oran Kenny and Ross McNerney scoring goals on 53 and 64 minutes respectively.
