Longford 0-13 Athlone IT 1-9:LONGFORD HAD a strong finish to beat Athlone IT by a single point at Leo Casey Park, Ballymahon, yesterday.

A goal from Frank Burke in the 21st minute left the students leading by 1-5 to 0-7 at the break.

Longford gradually got on top to fire over five points in a row to take the win.

LONGFORD: J McKenna; P Foy, F Battrim, D Reilly; C P Smyth, S Mulligan (0-1), P Brady; J Keegan, J O’Shea; M Quinn, D McElligott, D Barden; F McGee (0-5), B Kavanagh (0-2), S McCormack (0-4, 0-3 frees). Subs: K Diffley for J O’Shea (inj, seven mins), JJ Matthews (0-1) for D McElligott (half-time), E Williams for P Brady (52 mins), J McGivney for J Keegan (52 mins).

ATHLONE IT: G Connaughton; R Dunne, C Duignan, D Maleady; A Rowan, M McCallion, L Murphy; G Egan, P Bannon (0-1); A Caul (0-1), D Cash, E Clarke (0-2, frees); P Masterson, F Burke (1-0), A Sullivan (0-5, 0-2 frees). Subs: O Sheridan for E Clarke (half-time), T Rahill for R Dunne (53 mins), P McGee for A Rowan (58 mins), D McGovern for A Caul (65 mins).

Referee: F Smyth (Offaly).