Longford 1-8
Athlone IT 0-10

Pádraig Gill’s 50th minute goal proved to be the difference as Longford defeated Athlone IT in their final O’Byrne Cup game.

Gill finished off a neat move that started in the backline by substitute Enda Williams. Athlone did get back into the game but two excellent points from Paul McKeon earned Longford a narrow win.

In a scrappy first half played in terrible conditions it was the boot of Roscommon's Cathal Shine that had his side just in front at the break.

The nifty Athlone forward line forced Longford’s defenders into fouls and Shine duly obliged with the frees; kicking four in the opening half.

Changes
Longford made changes at the break and these made the difference with McKeon being a menace in the forward line and Williams tightening up defence.

Both played their part in vital scores for Longford with Williams involved in the goal and McKeon firing over the winning point three minutes from time.

LONGFORD: P Collum; C P. Smyth, F Battrim, Gerard Smith; S Cox, Peter Brady, Fergal Reilly; K Diffley, S Kiernan; R McEntire (0-1), Brian Kavanagh (0-1), Padraig Gill (1-2); S Doyle, B Farrell, Cian Mimnagh (0-2). Subs: E Williams for Smith and P Mc Keon (0-2) for Farrell (h-t), J Keegan for Diffley (57 mins), P Foy for Mimnagh (58 mins), D Cooney for Doyle (66 mins).
ATHLONE IT: Gary Connaughton; E Kerrins, J Cassidy, J Donoghue; L Murphy (0-1), K Martin, T Mooney; C Duggan, C Shine (0-5, frees); A Caul (0-1), C O'Brien, S Quinn; C Fitzgerald, J Dolan (0-1), A Coffey. Subs: D Farrelly (0-1) for Martin (25 mins), K McGuire for Connaughton (h-t), J Mulligan for Quinn (46 mins), A Stone (0-1, 45) for Caul (53 mins), P McGahern for Coffey (62 mins).
Referee: S Murphy (Louth)