Longford executed a stunning upset today with a win over All-Ireland holders Dublin to secure a spot in the O'Byrne Cup final.
Incidentally, Dublin are also the reigning O'Byrne Cup champions but after shipping a 1-12 0-09 defeat today, they will have to wait until 2017 before they can pursue the crown again.
Longford dictated the pace from the beginning of this contest and raced into a lead that they refused to relinquish, managing to hold off Jim Gavin's charges when their lead was curtailed to just one point in the second half.
8 year old Joshua McLoughlin from Longford, lends a helping hand before the Longford & Dublin game! #GAA pic.twitter.com/cJ8X7MdvwQ
— Sportsfile (@sportsfile) January 17, 2016
Longford were three points in front at half-time and a 64th minute goal from substitute Liam Connerton proved to be the decisive score against a Dublin side that featured seven of their All-Ireland winning team.
Longford, who suffered a punishing 27 point defeat to Dublin in the Leinster championship last year, will now look towards preparing for their first appearance in an O'Byrne Cup final since 2008. Meath will be their opponents after they prevailed against Louth in the other semi-final.
Roscommon have beaten Mayo in Castlebar on a scoreline of 0-13 to 0-10 in the FDB League! pic.twitter.com/VOzw4rK3Hu
— Sportsfile (@sportsfile) January 17, 2016
It was a disappointing day for provincial champions as Connacht holders Mayo lost out to Roscommon in the semi-final of the FBD League. Kevin McStay's men ran out 0-13 0-10 winners in the end and will now look towards a date with Galway in the final.
Below is a summary of all the results from today's feast of GAA fixtures
Football
McKenna Cup semi-finals
Fermanagh 0-10 Tyrone 1-13, Clones
Cavan 1-10 Derry 1-16, Athletic Grounds
O'Byrne Cup semi-finals
Longford 1-12 Dublin 0-9, Glennon Bros Pearse Park
Louth 0-10 Meath 0-11, Drogheda
FBD SFL round 3
IT Sligo 0-6 NUIG 4-10, Connacht GAA Centre
Roscommon 0-13 Mayo 0-10, McHale Park
Leitrim 1-11 Sligo 1-6, Ballinamore
Galway 0-16 GMIT 1-5, Tuam Stadium
McGrath Cup round 3
Tipperary 0-10 Kerry 0-16, Sean Treacy Park
Limerick 0-7 Waterford 2-7, Rathkeale
HURLING
Walsh Cup round 3
Offaly 3-9 Kilkenny 1-9, Birr
Laois 1-9 Dublin 2-20, O'Moore Park
Carlow 0-7 Wexford 1-21, Netwatch Cullen Park
Meath 2-16 IT Carlow 1-12, Dunganny
Westmeath 0-17 Galway 3-18, St Lomans, Mullingar
DCU 1-20 NUIG 1-20, St Clares
Munster SHL round 4
Cork 0-18 Limerick 3-17, Mallow
Waterford 1-9 Clare 1-20, Carriganore
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