Sullivan stars for Athlone IT but Longford prevail

Longford eventually overcame the challenge of Athlone IT at Ballymahon last Sunday to advance to the quarter-finals of the O'Byrne Cup. For a good part of this game, it looked like the students would pull off a minor shock, but the home side called on their experience and edge in class to see them through. Glenn Ryan's side now face DCU in the next round at home and they won't need reminding that they will need to improve considerably if they are to have a run in the traditional January competition. Longford were reduced to 14 men in stoppage time when Ballymahon's Kevin Diffley received a second yellow card for what appeared to be charging while in possession. Athlone IT will be disappointed to have lost the game by a point, but they can reflect on a competitive performance as their preparations for next month's Sigerson Cup continue. Featuring a number of players with inter-county experience, most notably goalkeeper Gary Connaughton, the college side is well drilled and will have learnt from playing inter-county opposition. This game took a long time to shake off the Christmas cobwebs, but when it did the 400 or so present were treated to a lively encounter. Longford stepped up their challenge in the second half, but they still struggled to put away the students. Longford defender Shane Mulligan put his side two in front with a point in the 66th minute. However, Athlone responded with a pointed free from the excellent Anton Sullivan with stoppage time approaching. In additional time, Longford held on for a win they just about deserved. Athlone held a deserved lead at half-time, although only by a single point at 1-5 to 0-7. A cracking goal from lively full-forward Frank Burke in the 21st minute asserted Athlone's authority against the sluggish home side. Longford were sharper in the second period and helped by prominent substitutes JJ Matthews, James McGivney and Enda Williams, they did enough. The Athlone starting 15 included three Longford natives and three Westmeath senior panelists (Gary Connaughton, Paul Bannon and Ger Egan). The star player for the students was Offaly's Anton Sullivan, who posed many problems for the Longford defence and finished with five points, three of which came from play.The Rhode prodigy has already invited comparisons with his illustrious team-mate Niall McNamee and he is certainly one to watch. It was Sullivan who got the scoring underway when he fired over the bar in the fourth minute from a Frank Burke pass. Longford lad Eugene Clarke doubled Athlone's lead with a point from a free in the ninth minute. It took Longford 14 minutes to get off the mark, with Sean McCormack sending over a free in the 14th minute. Brian Kavanagh got them on level terms with a point in the 16th minute after a good move, which went nearly the length of the field. A long distance point from Francis McGee gave Longford the lead in the 18th minute. McGee was outstanding, scoring five points from play. Longford needed that kind of leadership to see them through. Athlone took the lead when they struck the net in the 21st minute. Ger Egan set up Frank Burke, who hit a powerful shot past home 'keeper James McKenna. Midfielder Paul Bannon followed up with a good point in the 23rd minute to increase his side's lead to three. Francis McGee replied for Longford with a point in the 24th minute. The visitors hit back with points from Eugene Clarke (free) and Anton Sullivan. Longford rallied in the closing stages of the first half and reeled off three unanswered points, with the scores coming from Brian Kavanagh, Sean McCormack and Francis McGee. Both sides made a substitution apiece for the start of the second half. The college side started the brighter, with Adam Caul and Anton Sullivan taking points. Longford replied with a Sean McCormack free, which left two points between the sides. Longford goalkeeper James McKenna had to be at his best to deny Athlone IT a goal in the 42nd minute. McKenna didn't clear the ball properly and it fell straight to Anton Sullivan, who wasted little time in firing a shot back to McKenna, who stopped a strong shot. Sullivan did get a point just a minute later, when he sent over a close range free. It was the turn of the Athlone 'keeper to be tested in the 49th minute but, not for the first time in his career, Gary Connaughton was not found wanting. Longford's James McGivney set up his fellow substitute JJ Matthews, but Matthews' effort was blocked by Connaughton. Francis McGee hit the first of five unanswered points for Longford in the 50th minute. This purple patch saw Longford through. Longford went looking for another goal in the 63rd minute, but James McGivney's shot was blocked by Connaughton. Late points from Francis McGee and Shane Mulligan secured victory for Longford, with Anton Sullivan sending over a free for Athlone at the end of ordinary time to complete the scoring. Scorers Longford: F McGee 0-5, S McCormack 0-4 (3f); B Kavanagh 0-2; S Mulligan, JJ Matthews 0-1 each. Athlone IT: A Sullivan 0-5 (2f); F Burke 1-0; E Clarke 0-2 (2f); P Bannon, Adam Caul 0-1 each. Athlone IT Gary Connaughton; Richard Dunne, Cathal Duignan, Diarmuid Maleady; Aidan Rowan, Mark McCallon, Levi Murphy; David Cash, Paul Bannon; Eugene Clarke, Ger Egan, Peter Masterson; Adam Caul, Frank Burke, Anton Sullivan. Subs: Ollie Sheridan for Clarke (h-t), Tomas Rehill for Dunne (52 mins), Paul McGee for Rowan (56), Danny McGovern for Caul (64). Longford James McKenna; Peter Foy, Fergal Battrim, Declan Reilly; Colm Smyth, Shane Mulligan, Peter Brady; John Keegan, John O'Shea; David Barden, Michael Quinn, Donal McElligot; Francis McGee, Brian Kavanagh, Sean McCormack. Subs: Kevin Diffley for O'Shea (injured, 7 mins), JJ Matthews for McElligott (h-t), Enda Williams for Brady, James McGivney for Keegan (both 51). Referee Fergal Smyth (Offaly).