Match Preview

MATCH PREVIEW: Cobh Ramblers v Longford Town

Sat Sep 21st 2019

Match Preview by Tony Ghee

Longford Town travel down south for their final league game of the season against Cobh Ramblers at St. Colman’s Park this Saturday evening with the game commencing at 7.45pm.

Cobh will finish the season in seventh place regardless of Saturday evening’s result, while a victory will gaurantee a third place finish for Daire Doyle’s charges which will ensure home advantage for the second-leg of the forthcoming promotion play-off tie with Cabinteely FC.

Town go into the contest on the back of a controversial two-one home defeat against Bray Wanderers last weekend, a game that resulted in Longford controversially finishing with just nine players at the final whistle after the dismissals of Karl Chambers and Anto Breslin. Dean Byrne had put Longford ahead before Bray’s comeback win.

Cobh impressively held Cabinteely FC to a one-all draw in their last home game, however, the Ramblers endured a heavy seven-one defeat away to Galway United last time out. Just like Longford, Cobh also finished that game with nine players after red cards were shown to Stephen O’Leary and Kevin Taylor after Cian Leonard had actually given the Cork side the lead.

In the earlier meetings between the sides this season, the first encounter ended in a scoreless draw, while the Town narrowly won the clash at the City Calling Stadium one-nil, courtesy of a Sam Verdon strike just after the half-hour mark.

Longford will be missing several players for the game as Karl Chambers, Anto Breslin, and Aodh Dervin are all suspended. Sean Boyd, Dylan Grimes and Mick McDonnell are all out injured, while Sam Verdon is doubtful with a minor knock.



Preview: Longford Town v Bray Wanderers

Fri Sep 13th 2019

Match Preview by Tony Ghee

This Saturday night at 7.30pm in the City Calling Stadium, Longford Town host play-off chasing Bray Wanderers in their last home league game of the regular season.

The home side secured their play-off berth with two games to spare after defeating Wexford FC away in Ferrycarrig Park by two goals to nil, as goals in each half from Dean Byrne on twenty-six minutes and Aaron Dobbs on fifty-one minutes secured the crucial three points for Daire Doyle’s ‘Red & Black’ army.

The last play-off place is between Saturday night’s visitors and Cabinteely FC with the South Dubliners currently holding a four point advantage over the Wicklow outfit, so a Cabinteely victory at home to Athlone Town tonight will seal the final play-off berth for them.

Last time out Bray recorded an away draw with leaders Shelbourne at Tolka Park and they possess talented players who can cause Longford problems with the likes of Dean Williams, Sean Heaney, and former Town favourite, Dylan McGlade in their ranks.

The teams have met twice in the league this season with both sides recording home victories. Back in April, goals from Town defender Mick McDonnell and winger Peter Hopkins earned a two-nil victory for Longford at the City Calling Stadium.

Dean Byrne celebrates scoring against Bray during the clubs’ previous meeting at the Carlisle Grounds. Pic: Ken Keenan

However, Bray exacted revenge in June at the Carlisle Grounds, when they stunned Longford with two late goals to win by three goals to two, despite trailing on eighty-eight minutes.

Derek Daly put the Seagulls ahead in the fifth minute, but Dean Byrne’s equalizer on thirty-one minutes had the contest level at the interval.

A Luke Nolan own goal on eighty-five minutes put Longford two-one up, but two defenders won the game for Bray. Killian Cantwell on eighty-eight minutes and Hugh Douglas deep into injury time secured the come-back victory for Gary Cronin’s team.

Former Longford Town midfielder Phillip Gannon is playing for Bray this season while manager Gary Cronin is fondly remembered by the Longford Town fans having been at the club as both a player and a coach.

On the team news front, both Aodh Dervin and Sam Verdon are suspended, while midfielder Paul O’Connor is rated doubtful.


Match Preview | FAI Cup | Longford Town v Athlone Town

Sat Aug 10th 2019

Match Preview by James Donnelly

Extra.ie FAI Cup First Round

Longford Town FC v Athlone Town AFC

Saturday 10th August 2019 • Kick-off 7.30pm

City Calling Stadium

The final El Clasico of 2019 sees Athlone Town come to the City Calling Stadium tonight, still feeling the effects of their 5-1 league defeat at the hands of the Red and Black last week.

With goals coming from Aodh Dervin, Anto Breslin, Sean Boyd, Peter Hopkins and Sam Verdon, De Town easily dispatched of our near neighbours with Athlone pulling back the single consolation goal due to a mistake by Verdon in injury time, a mistake he made up for by scoring Longford’s fifth goal from the penalty spot only moments later.

The turn-around time between games may not be enough for Athlone to change things up and possibly pull off a win tonight, unless Town boss Neale Fenn opts to rest key players ahead of our huge league game at home to Shelbourne next week. Anything can happen in the cup so don’t expect a similiar game to last week in Athlone.

Going on recent form, De Town are clear favourites with our win last week and a good win over Galway United the previous week, whereas Athlone have struggled in the league and had their last win at the start of July over Wexford FC at home.

Longford Town players celebrate Aodh Dervin’s opening goal during last week’s El Clasico in which De Town defeated Athlone 5-1. Pic: Ken Keenan

Speaking to LTFC.ie ahead of tonight’s big cup clash, Manager Neale Fenn stated how important it was to not dwell on last week’s game, as anything can happen in the cup.

“It’s gonna be difficult you know, forget the result last week, we might have caught them on an off day, it’s gonna be a difficult game, Athlone came at us last week for a period and gave us a little bit of trouble.”

Since Longford Town’s foundation, we have met Athlone four times in the FAI Cup, with two of those ties going to replays. Out of the six games in total, De Town have won five games with Athlone winning one. Our biggest FAI Cup win over Athlone came in 2004 in the quarter final replay when we won 3-0 away thanks to goals from Shane Barrett, Alan Murphy and Phillip Keogh.

Team news: Jack Doherty is OK to feature and could be on the bench tonight after recovering from his ankle injury. Other than that, Longford have a full selection to choose from.



Match Preview: Longford Town FC v Galway United FC

Sat Jul 27th 2019

Match Preview by James Donnelly

Longford Town FC v Galway United FC
Saturday 27th July 2019 • Kick-off: 7.45pm
City Calling Stadium

Longford Town FC welcome Galway United to the City Calling Stadium tonight in what is a must win game for the Red and Black if they are to keep the pressure on Shelbourne, Drogheda and Cabo in the race for promotion.

Galway’s last win in the league was all the way back in May against us! A 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Vinny Faherty saw Alan Murphy’s side gain all 3 points at Eamonn Deacy Park. Since then, they’ve had a tough time at home and away. With losses against Bray, Drogheda, Longford, Limerick, Cobh, and Shelbourne, Galway sit third from bottom, even with a few good draws against Athlone, Wexford and Bray. At home to Bray last week, they had to come from behind twice to earn a draw. Conor Layng and talisman Vinny Faherty got the all important goals after Bray went ahead, first through an OG from Kevin Horgan in goal on seven minutes and then through Dylan McGlade on fifty minutes. Galway left it late but got their equalizer with six minutes remaining on the clock to gain a share of the spoils.

Sam Verdon pictured celebrating his goal last time out when Longford Town defeated Galway United 2-1 at the City Calling Stadium.

De Town suffered a disappointing setback last week against Cabinteely in Stradbrook. Neale Fenn’s men just couldn’t break down the home side’s big defensive line and Pat Devlin’s young side took full advantage and scored two good goals to seal the victory. Cabo sit one point ahead of Longford after their draw away to Drogheda last night so the Town can go two points clear of them and go back into third with a win against Galway tonight at the City Calling Stadium.

Both clubs have a win over each other with Galway winning 2-1 at Eamonn Deacy Park back in May and Longford winning by the same scoreline in June thanks to goals from Dean Byrne and Sam Verdon.

Galway announced the signing of centre back Killian Brouder from Limerick FC today and the 20 year old goes straight into the squad for tonight’s game.

Jack Doherty is doubtful for Longford while Jamie Doyle is unavailable.

Come out and support De Town in what is a huge game for the club!

Come on the Town!

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