GAA: Longford stun Monaghan in All-Ireland SFC qualifiers
By Ciarán McGreal
Last Updated: 10/07/16 1:32pm
Longford produced an incredible shock in St Tiernach's Park in Clones as they defeated Monaghan 2-13 to 1-13 in one of the biggest surprises in years.
Goals from Mickey Quinn and Robbie Smyth brought Monaghan's 2016 campaign to a close as Longford secured progression to the next round of the qualifiers.
Monaghan, the reigning Ulster champions who were playing their third game in 14 days, recovered from a slow start and led 1-9 to 1-6 at half time.
But Smyth's goal on 62 minutes proved the difference between the sides as they repeated their shock 2004 win over Monaghan in their only other meeting between them in the championship.
The hosts won the toss and elected to play with the wind in the first half. But after four minutes, they found themselves 1-1 to 0-0 down as Quinn netted for the visitors.
Liam Connerton, son of manager Denis, saw his shot squirm under Rory Beggan and with the ball rolling towards the line, Quinn nipped in to finish it to the net.
Conor McManus scored two points in quick succession for Monaghan to make it 1-1 to 0-2 after five minutes but Longford replied through James McGivney (2) and Brian Kavanagh to lead by five points with 15 minutes played.
Jack McCarron floated over a score for Monaghan to keep the scoreboard ticking before Smyth scored a point either side of a Conor McCarthy effort for Monaghan to keep Longford's five-point lead intact.
Smyth's second point in the 26th minute proved to be his side's last score of the half as Monaghan scored 1-5 without reply. McCarthy (2) and McCarron notched points before Colin Walshe scored Monaghan's goal.
The corner-back made a run from defence before setting up McCarron but Paddy Collum denied McCarron's effort on goal. To Longford's misfortune, the ball fell on a plate for Walshe who drilled home the rebound in the 34th minute.
Two further points from Monaghan through McManus (free) and Ryan McAnespie gave them a three-point lead going into half time.
Longford had the wind behind them at the break and made a great start to the half as points from Diarmuid Masterson and Kavanagh brought them to within a point of their hosts after just two second half minutes.
Goalkeeper Beggan pointed a free on 40 minutes but Longford got back on terms with points from Masterson and McGivney.
Conor McCarthy spurned a great goal chance for Monaghan on 52 minutes as his left-footed shot drifted just wide of the top left-hand corner of Paddy Collum's net. Kavanagh and Connerton both split the posts for the visitors to give them a two point lead with 16 minutes to go.
Monaghan cancelled out these efforts from Longford with McCarthy and substitute Shane Carey bringing the sides level with 12 minutes left.
Masterson chipped over his third point on 59 minutes before Smyth's goal sealed a famous win for Longford.
Longford: P Collum; C Farrelly, P McGee, B Gilleran; D McElligott, M Quinn (1-0), B McKeon; M Brady, D Gallagher; D Masterson (0-3), D Brady, J McGivney (0-3); R Smyth (1-3, 2f), B Kavanagh (0-3, 1f, 1 s-l), L Connerton (0-1).
Subs: B O'Farrell for McGee (24), D Reynolds for McElligott (31, black card), M Hughes for M Brady (36), R Connor for McKeon (60,black card), B Farrell for Gallagher (65), S Hannon for Smyth (70).
Monaghan: R Beggan (0-1, 1f); C Walshe (1-0), D Wylie, C Boyle; K O'Connell, V Corey, F Kelly; N McAdam, D Hughes; R McAnespie (0-1), D Malone, T Kerr; J McCarron (0-2), C McManus (0-4, 3f), C McCarthy (0-4).
Subs: O Duffy for Malone (36), S Carey (0-1) for O'Connell (36), D Mone for Kerr (50), K Hughes for McCarron (56), S Gollogly for Duffy (63).
Referee: C Branagan (Down).
