Paddy Christie admits Longford are in for a big step-up when they face Down in the Tailteann cup in Elser Park tonight.
While, Longford slummed to a disappointing defeat to Carlow las Sunday. The defeat saw them finish third in group three, meaning an away preliminary quarter-final game.
A group one defeat to Meath means Down last week saw Down finish second and line-up a tricky meeting with Longford.
“We were disappointed with the performance against Carlow” admitted Longford boss Christie. ”If we had have won we might have a relatively easier this weekend”.
“But the following weekend we would have ended up playing someone stronger again” added Christie. “We were lucky to into this stage, but we’ve been given a chink of light”.
Down on the up
Whereas, hope and a sense of optimism is returning to the Down team who coasted through their group with wins over Tipperary and Waterford. Victory over Donegal in the Ulster championship saw belief reborn.
👉🏻 Tailteann Cup Preliminary Quarter-Final
🎟️ Tickets from https://t.co/k07VXY1ftR or selected stores
🏐 Saturday, 7pm
📍 Pairc Esler pic.twitter.com/rgRMJV0wWX— Official Down GAA (@OfficialDownGAA) June 8, 2023
“It’s a one-off game” declared Christie. ” While we were disappointed with the Carlow game, we were good against Wicklow. On average we’ve been verily decent across the year”.
Christie knows that a tough test awaits in Newry, but Joe Hagan, Dylan Farrell, and Oran Kenny are forwards capable of landing scores.
Down: Niall Kane; Anthony Doherty, Pierce Laverty, Patrick McCarthy; Gerard Collins, Ryan Magill, Daniel Guinness; Shane Annett, Odhran Murdock; Ceilum Doherty, Donach McAleenan, Liam Kerr; Andrew Gilmore, Pat Havern, Eugene Branagan.
Subs: John O'Hare, Miceal Rooney, Conor Francis, Ryan McEvoy, Danny Magill, Ross Carr, Jerome Johnston, Conor Fitzpatrick, Patrick Branagan, Eamon Brown, Rory Mason.
Longford: Patrick Collum; Patrick Fox, Andrew Farrell, Bryan Masterson; Iarla O'Sullivan, Michael Quinn, Peter Lynn; Ryan Moffett, Darren Gallagher; Joe Hagan, Dessie Reynolds, Aaron Farrell; Keelin McGann, Dylan Farrell, Oran Kenny.
Subs: Mícheál Hughes, Peter Foy, Fergal Sheridan, Daire O'Brien, Ciarán Scanlon, James Kiernan, Barry O'Farrell, Ruairí Harkin, Matt Duffy, Tadhg McNevin, Darragh Doherty.
Down v Longford
Páirc Esler, Throw-in: 7pm
Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow)
