On an afternoon where Carlow continued their impressive start to 2018 with a memorable victory against Kildare, Longford have added to a special day for the Leinster football championship.
Taking on Andy McEntee's Meath in Pearse Park, Longford had not made it past the quarter-final stage of the provincial championships in thirty years.
In spectacular fashion, Longford managed to hold off a late Meath surge as their provincial hopes dwindled in unimaginable circumstances; finishing with a 0-16 to 0-14 scoreline.
Chasing a five-point deficit with 10 minutes remaining, Meath suffered a set-back when McEntee's son Shane was sent off for striking Rian Brady.
Red card for a @MeathGAA player McEntee with 4pts down and 15mins left. Thundering Jasus what are they at!!! Game over.....no way they'll pull this back😣 its worse its getting
— Vincent Reynolds (@vinnie_reynolds) May 27, 2018
Yet, things were hardly straight-forward for Longford irrespective of any advantage on the scoreboard or in personnel.
With a three-point and one-man advantage inside the final 10 minutes, Longford relied heavily on Paddy Collum; a sure Meath goal denied in spectacular fashion.
66mins Longford 0-15 Meath 0-13. Longford give away ball too cheaply, Meath break with Paddy Collum pulling off a superb save to tip Eamon Wallace's shot over the bar
— Longford Leader (@Longford_Leader) May 27, 2018
Carlow and Longford in the Leinster semi-finals; Meath in round 1 of the qualifiers alongside Mayo and Tyrone. Put a fork in this goose, it's done
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) May 27, 2018
Longford win by 2. Hanging on on the end but deserved it ... just. Very unfamiliar look to Leinster semis
— John Greene (@johnjgreene) May 27, 2018
Super win for Longford #GAA
— Gavin Cawley (@gavcawley) May 27, 2018
Longford abu!!!!!! 💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛
— Sinead Farrell (@sinead_farrell7) May 27, 2018
That's a savage win for Longford! Some big names in the hat for tomorrow's qualifier draw! https://t.co/CmhtnIaHUp
— Bear In The Square (@bearnthesquare) May 27, 2018
Some wins for Carlow and Longford #championship
— Seamus Duke (@SeamusDuke) May 27, 2018
Longford win! By 2 in the end. Outstanding second half performance.
— Gavin Cooney (@gcooney93) May 27, 2018
Leitrim, Longford, Carlow, Monaghan, Fermanagh, Roscommon and Sligo bottom seven counties in terms of population. All won their opening football Championship games.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) May 27, 2018
