Mark Lynch: brought Derry level.
Derry 2-14 Longford 2-16
Derry crashed out of the All Ireland Senior Football Championships when they were beaten by Longford in a thrilling first round qualifier at Celtic Park this evening.
Derry started brightly and raced into the lead with points from Kielt, Lynn and debutant O’Brien.
However, Longford hit back through McCormack and Kavanagh (2) to level the scores.
Lynch pointed to put the home side head again before Mallon brought off two great saves to maintain the slender lead.
Further points from Lynch (2) and Kielt extended the Derry lead to four points on a scoreline of 0-07 to 0-03 as Derry took control.
However, a goal and a point from Barden plus further scores from Smith and McCormack turned the game on its head and saw Longford lead at half-time on a scoreline of 0-07 to 1-06.
Longford started the much better in the second period and extended their lead to four points through Mulligan and Quinn on a scoreline of0-07 to 1-08.
Heron pulled a point back for Derry before a super individual score from Quinn once again put the visitors four in front.
McGoldrick and a free from Lynch brought Derry within two points.
But a score from the 40-metre mark by full-back Gilleran and fine point by full-forward Kavanagh put four between the sides once again.
An O’Brien score was answered by points from McGee and Barden to put Longford five clear.
Derry were brought right back into the game when a Benny Heron speculative ball towards the Longford goal somehow ended up in the back of the net.
McCormack put three points between the sides before Mark Lynch, playing a captain’s role, found the top corner of the net to draw Derry level on a scoreline of 2-11 to 1-14.
However, Longford again hit back with a goal from substitute Hughes and a point from McGee to put four between the sides once again.
Lynn (2) and Kielt brought Derry within a point with two minutes remaining but it was Longford to got the next score, McCormack putting over a free to secure the visitors’ third victory over Derry in the qualifiers.
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