As Dublin prepare for their first Leinster SFC match outside of Croke Park in ten years, former Longford star Paul Barden reflects on what might have been when the Dubs came to Pearse Park in 2006.

Much has been made of Dublin playing Laois at Nowlan Park on Saturday evening and even more so given the fact that the last time, they played outside Croker in the championship was when they travelled to Pearse Park to take on the home side ten years ago.

On that occasion, the Dubs were fortunate to come away with a 1-12 to 0-13 victory and Barden admitted to the Longford Leader that there was nothing but disappointment in the home dressingroom afterwards.

"We were devastated. So close and yet so far, but we got great confidence from it and the intensity at training ramped up from there on," explained Barden.

"With a bit more luck we could have beaten Dublin. It led to a very good season for us in the end, a memorable one no doubt."

Longford put together a run in the qualifiers where they defeated Waterford, Tipperary and Derry, before eventually losing out to eventual All-Ireland winners Kerry for a place in the All-Ireland SFC quarterfinal.

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