Minor Football: Match Report, Talking Points, Man of The Match v Longford

Minor Football: Match Report, Talking Points, Man of the Match v Longford

Laois minor footballers edge Longford in tight contest

Laois: 2.12

Longford: 0.16

in Pearse Park, Longford for the quarter final of the Tier 3 All Ireland Minor Football Championship 

Match Report

Laois booked their place in the semi-final against Antrim next Saturday, May 23, after a hard-fought win over Longford in difficult wet conditions. Resilience and persistence once again proved the biggest strengths of this Laois minor side as they battled back from heavy pressure to secure victory.

Eoghan Harris for Laois opened the scoring with a point from play after five minutes before Senan Buckley replied from a free for Longford. Early on, Laois’ Michael Brennan worked tirelessly to win possession and launch attacks, showing great strength to hold off defenders and prevent turnovers near the sideline.

Laois hit a few wides and Longford took control, moving 0-5 to 0-1 ahead through the impressive Senan Buckley, who scored three in a row including a two-point free. Buckley dominated around midfield, winning high ball, driving forward with pace and scoring from distance, while Eoin Beattie also impressed in attack.

Laois responded through the influential Will Craig, whose kickout win and long delivery led to a superb two-point free from Fionnan Brennan to cut the deficit to two. Will Craig and Mikey Hand combined well throughout, with Hand curling over an excellent score under pressure. Craig later won a midfield mark and picked out Hand, whose powerful run and goal effort was brilliantly saved by Longford goalkeeper Jack Cassidy.

Laois eventually moved ahead through another Fionnan Brennan two-point free before Mikey Hand added 2 frees after strong work from Michael Brennan to win possession and earn a foul. Longford finished the half strongly though, with Cillian Fagan landing a superb two-pointer to leave just a point between the sides at the break.

Longford carried that momentum into the second half and controlled much of the opening stages. Beattie added another point before Niall O’Donnell fired over an excellent two-pointer. During this spell, Fionnan Brennan showed great awareness defensively, cleverly kicking a dangerous loose ball clear from the square in the slippery conditions instead of risking handling possession under pressure.

A Mikey Hand free steadied Laois before a massive defensive moment arrived from Tom Lawler, who reacted quickest to win a loose ball in the square and earn a crucial free out with Laois trailing.

Laois gradually regained momentum, winning more possession and becoming dangerous in attack. Eoghan Harris produced excellent play to set up a superb goal from Will Craig, putting Laois two points ahead a huge turning point considering Longford’s dominant spell. Longford refused to give in, however, and Oisin McHugh nearly found the net when his fierce effort crashed off the crossbar.

A brace of scores from David Timmons stretched the Laois lead before another two-pointer from Senan Buckley reduced the gap to two entering the closing stages. Longford continued to push hard, but Timmons delivered the decisive moment with a huge goal five minutes from time to secure the win.

Man of the Match and Talking Points

Laois Man of the Match for the Longford game:

Mikey Hand

Mikey Hand produced a brilliant all-round display from both play and frees. His movement, accuracy and ball-winning ability caused Longford problems throughout, especially in the heavy rain and slippery conditions. Hand consistently won both high and low ball cleanly under pressure, showing excellent strength, pace and awareness inside the full-forward line. Nearly every time possession was played into him, he either created a score or won a scoring opportunity for Laois. His composure and clean handling in such difficult conditions were especially impressive, while his scores at key moments helped settle Laois during Longford’s strongest periods. Mikey scored 0-4 (3 frees)

Close Second for Man Of The Match – David Timmons

David Timmons

Despite a quiet first half, David Timmons rose to the occasion when the game was in the balance. With Longford dominating possession and attacking strongly late on, Timmons stepped up with two superb points from play (he displayed bravery and confidence in himself that paid off as he kicked these points from not easy positions) before delivering the game’s defining moment — a crucial goal immediately after Longford had regained the lead through Senan Buckley with five minutes remaining. His contribution of 1-2 mirrored his excellent scoring return against Limerick and proved vital in guiding Laois through to the semi final today too.

Talking Points:

Fionnan Brennan and Will Craig once again showed why they have been among Laois’ standout performers all year, both producing influential displays throughout.

Fionnan Brennan continues to consistently kick 2 pointer frees, and Will Craig’s positional change to now midfield since Round 3 in the Leinster MFC (he played right half back in the first 2 rounds of Leinster championship) has proved highly effective and a great decision by the Laois management as Will Craig’s pace on runs forward is the best aspect of his game, and better utilsed with him higher up the pitch, alongside his ability to win high ball. Today Will Craig scored a great goal from play as a result of a great run. He has slotted seamlessy into midifeld.

Will Craig in action vs Limerick

Games, Growth and Green Shoots Across Laois GAA.

There was a strong sense throughout Episode 14 of the Laois Games and Gaels Podcast that momentum continues to build across schools, underage development and academy structures within Laois GAA.

Click here to listen