Since the qualifiers came into being, Longford have enjoyed a reputation, occasionally overstated, for being formidably difficult to beat in their lair in the midlands.
The phrase 'Fortress Pearse Park' has become a handy cliche for copywriters over the past decade. Well, the fortress will look a tad less impressive and intimidating in the next few years.
It became apparent last year that there were structural subsidence issues on the main stand side of the ground. The county board commissioned an investigation which was conducted by Collins Boyd Engineers & Associates.
Their findings reveal the worst. The Longford Leader report that the stand, which was built only ten years ago, will have to be demolished, redesigned and rebuilt.
County board secretary Peter O'Reilly confirmed that this seemingly drastic option was in fact the most cost-effective on offer.
"There was also the option of underpinning the stand and trying to get it pile-driven underneath to support the structure that is there but the most cost effective option is to demolish, design and rebuild."
The Longford Leader report that Longford GAA are now facing a bill that will extend into the multi-millions.
Notwithstanding the structural problems, Pearse Park was deemed appropriate for the visit of Carlow in Round 1 qualifiers (a rather damning indicator of Carlow's standing).
However, Longford, despite having been drawn out of the pot first, were forced to engage Kildare in the neutral venue of Cusack Park in Mullingar in Round 3 of the qualifiers.
Longford were demolished. As will their stand be in the near future.
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