Two counties whose graph has trended in entirely the wrong direction since the turn of the year. This time last summer, Longford were on the up and up (literally so, after two successive promotions).
Their win over Laois rattled the rafters of Pearse Park and they went on to take Wexford to a replay and beat Derry in the qualifiers. Having only been seen off after extra-time by Limerick, they ought to have faced into 2013 with confidence.
But they lost all seven games in Division Two and the margins of defeat tell the story of a gradually demoralising spring.
After losing the opener by just a point in Wexford, they lost by two, two, four, nine, three and six. With Paul Barden out through injury and Brian Kavanagh in America, they missed their two most productive attackers. David Barden walked off the panel as well, just to add to the sorry tale. You would be hard pushed to find a team that faces into the summer with less relish.
Wicklow might just give them a run for it though. Similarly winless in Division Three - albeit with draws against Roscommon and Antrim – they were relegated with the worst points difference of any team in the country.
It’s exactly a year since Leighton Glynn broke his ankle against Meath and there is no prospect of him returning anytime soon. Tony Hannon has retired since last year and rising hope Conor McGraynor suffered a double break to his elbow in a recent club game.
So there’s plenty of woe to go around. As for reasons to be cheerful, Wicklow have brought in a very useful addition in former Tipperary forward Brian Coen, now a Garda in Greystones.
Between him and Austin O’Malley – himself an import from Mayo – they shouldn’t want for reliability from frees. It’s crucial that they don’t, as Longford boast one of the country’s best kickers in Seán McCormack.
On the basis that there’s been a plague on both their houses over the winter, Longford should still be comfortably the stronger side.
Paul Barden’s return hasn’t come a moment too soon and there’s nobody in the Wicklow side who can match the power and vim of Michael Quinn from centre-back. They might not progress too far beyond this game but Longford have enough about them to clear this hurdle at least.
