Dublin beat Longford by 26 points as Wexford still on a buzz

Niall McIntyre

Dublin’s dominance of Leinster football runs far and it stretches wide.

The county have won nine Leinster senior men’s championships in a row. The Leinster ladies championship hasn’t left the capital city in the last eight years.

At under-21/20 level, the one-sidedness has reached similar levels. Despite Kildare’s win last year, Dublin have won seven of the last nine titles at the age group.

The quarter finals for this year’s renewal took place on Tuesday night and by the looks of things in Pearse Brothers Glennon Park, the Father Larry Murray trophy is destined to return to Dublin for 2019 again.

Against a helpless and overpowered Longford side, Tom Gray’s side reeled off 1-8 without reply in the first 12 minutes of the game.

The signs they were ominous for the home side. Ciaran Archer and Ross McGarry were on fire up top for Dublin as Longford struggled to gain any foothold in the game. Eventually, their first score arrived in the 15th minute but it wasn’t the start of any comeback.

The Dubs went into the interval leading by 1-15 to 0-2 and they kept it up right through the second half. Longford’s first point from play wouldn’t arrive until the 50th minute of the game.

With the subs streaming on and Dublin letting up somewhat, Longford managed a few scores but the 4-21 to 0-7 final scoreline doesn’t bode well for Leinster football and it’s certainly a tough one to take for these Longford youngsters.

Dublin hotshot Ciaran Archer ended his day with 3-8.

“Literally men against boys,” wrote the Longford Leader on its Twitter account. “Longford struggling to cope with the Dubs’ physicality,” it said understatedly.

Dublin play Wexford in the semi-final next Tuesday. Best of luck to Wexford.

Elsewhere in Leinster, there were wins for Wexford and Meath while Laois and Meath couldn’t be separated and are playing extra-time. In Munster, there was disappointment for Tipp and Clare as Waterford and Limerick advanced.