Despite losing their scoring talisman Raftery to injury for the second-half, the visitors impressed upon the resumption with Heavey popping over a 35th minute free to double his team’s advantage. 

Cian O’Dwyer and Salami’s inspirational point saw Dublin push further clear and a sublime two-pointer by Heavey pushed the visitors six points ahead by the 40th minute. 

Almost inevitably, it was Buckley that got the hosts back on track with another two-pointer and home full-forward Oisín McHugh added another in the 45th minute to leave the contest delicately poised. 

Any momentum those scores generated was lost in an instant as Salami turned provider for McDonnell, who cut inside and placed a classy strike past Cassidy for Dublin’s third goal. 

James McCaghy added a ‘45’ and a two-pointed free to open up an eight-point buffer and O’Dwyer highlighted his potential with a brace of excellent points in the closing stages. 

It was fitting that Salami should have the final word, given the exuberance of his performance and he powered through in added time to fire across Cassidy for Dublin’s fourth goal as the visitors booked their spot in the knockout stages.  

Scorers – Dublin: M Salami 2-1; J Heavey 0-6 (2f, 1 P2); B Doyle, A McDonnell 1-0 each; C Raftery (1f, 1 F2), C O’Dwyer, J McCaghy (1 ’45, 1 F2) 0-3 each; M Morrison 0-1.Longford: S Buckley 0-7 (1f, 2 P2); N O’Donnell 1-1; O McHugh 0-2 (P2); L Madden, C Shannon 0-1 apiece. 

Dublin: J Galvin; D Lombard, A Becton, A Davis; C Doran, J McCaghy, B Doyle; C O’Carroll, M Morrison; C Raftery, M Salami, A McDonnell; C O’Dwyer, J Heavey, E Madden. Subs: D Guilfoyle for Raftery (half-time), A Champ for McDonnell (51), C Wilde for Madden (58), P Cahill for Champ (58), A McMahon for Becton (62).  

Longford: J Cassidy; B Francis, S Hagan, R Gibbons; S Hannify, C Fagan, J O’Farrell; S Buckley, R Rowan; O McNerney, N O’Donnell, E Beattie; C Shannon, O McHugh, L Madden. Subs: R Flynn for Shannon (45), D Toher for Beattie (51), S Finlass for Fagan (57), M Keegan for McHugh (58), O McKenna for Madden (60). 

Referee: Kieran Olwell (Meath).