Longford have claimed back-to-back O’Byrne cup titles after beating Dublin 1-12 to 0-9 at Portlaoise.
The Midlanders laid a solid foundation for victory in the first half. Paddy Christie’s men were five points clear at the break and held on for a convincing victory.
The sides traded three points each inside the opening 20 minutes. Cathal McCabe and midfield free-taker Gallagher scored a brace of points apiece in that initial period.
Longford went onto register five unanswered points. Darren Gallagher (two), Cathal McCabe, Daniel Reynolds and Mark Hughes were all on target as Longford led 0-8 to 0-3 at half-time.
Luke Breathnach's point ended Dublin’s 20-minute drought two minutes into the second-half. Killian McGinnis followed up with another point three minutes later making it a four-point game.
However, the Dublin comeback was short-lived. Keelin McGann found the net on 44 minutes and suddenly, Longford were seven points clear, 1-9 to 0-5.
#GAABEO 44 nóim @DubGAAOfficial 0-05@OfficialLDGAA 1-09
Cúl don Longfort! McGann leis an gcríoch isteach sa líontán! 🤩
Keelin McGann with an all-important goal to widen the gap between the teams.
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺#GAA @GAA_BEO pic.twitter.com/KtNXnBDxpx
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 20, 2024
Luke Swan and Colm Basquel replied with a point each for Dublin leaving four points between the sides with six minutes remaining.
Darren Gallagher slotted over a free 60 seconds from time sealing a fifth ever O’Byrne cup title for the Midlanders. Luke Swan had the final saw with a mark for the Dubs but it was Longford's day.
Longford landed their fifth O'Byrne cup and their first back-to-back win. Longford's previous successes came in 1965, 2000, 2020 and 2023.
