Longford are provincial champions for the first time in 14 years after defeating Dublin in the Electric Ireland Leinster minor football final in Tullamore on Monday night.
The round-robin phase had already seen Longford defeat the Dubs and, as fans made their way to O'Connor Park, there was a sense of anticipation that they could repeat that feat in the decider.
It was Dublin who made the faster start, however, and they looked to be in control at the break with a 1-4 to 0-3 lead. Despite an improved Longford performance and Dublin's wastefulness in front of goal, the Dubs maintained a three-point lead entering the closing stages.
However, Longford showed remarkable resilience to fight back to within a point and, in the third minute of stoppage time, captain Mark Cooney landed a remarkable free from out near the touchline, just inside the 45, to level the scores and send the game to extra-time.
63 nóim, #LONvDUB @OfficialLDGAA 0:10 @DubGAAOfficial 1:07
'Cad é sin mar chaptaen!' 😱
Mark Cooney brings the sides level with this monster free and extra time is looming!
BEO/LIVETG4 AR @TG4TV 📺
#GAABEO @ElectricIreland pic.twitter.com/zEqQvhRMfS— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 20, 2024
The star of extra-time was Longford's Cian O'Donnell, who kicked two outstanding scores to keep his side in it before they kicked on in the second period to clinch a memorable victory late in extra-time.
Karl O'Hara's insurance point made it 0-15 to 1-10 and clinched Longford's first Leinster title since 2010.
They had their captain Mark Cooney to thank for much of it - not just the equalising score in regular time, but his consistently brilliant defensive work from centre-back. He was awarded Laoch na hImeartha - and gave a memorable interview to TG4 immediately after the full-time whistle.
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Longford captain drops classic interview after Leinster MFC final victory
There appeared to be some debate before the decisive free-kick in regulation stoppage-time as to who would take it. Though Mark Cooney has not had a flawless record from dead balls this year, he told TG4 he had no doubt this one was going over:
Well, I have been but they weren't going over. Today, they went over.
As soon as I kicked that, I knew it was over.
The Clonguish half-back was in disbelief as he revelled in leading his county to a historic triumph.
#LONvDUB
'As soon as I kicked it, I knew it was over'.
Labhair an Laoch na hImeartha Mark Cooney linn tar éis an cluiche ceannais i Tulach Mhór. 🗣️
BEO/LIVETG4 AR @TG4TV 📺
#GAABEO @ElectricIreland pic.twitter.com/rLIbIFrMO1— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 20, 2024
Cooney even inadvertently dropped an F-bomb, clearly swept up in the emotion of such a hard-fought victory.
I don't even know what to say. Fuckin' speechless.
The work these lads have put in all year, it's deserved. All year training.
What were we, four points down at half-time? We just drove on second half, what we said at half-time was, 'just drive at them. We'll get the win in the end.' It happened!
A memorable night for Longford football in Tullamore.
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