Match Preview

MATCH PREVIEW: Longford Town v Drogheda United

Sat Jul 13th 2019

Match Preview by Tony Ghee

Longford Town host Drogheda United at the City Calling Stadium tonight at 7.30pm in a crucial promotion play-off six pointer, as third host second.

After last night’s victory for Bray against Limerick, and Shelbourne’s draw with Cabinteely, De Town are guaranteed to be at least third in the table after tonight’s contest. However, if Longford can make it a hat-trick of league wins over the visitors this evening, the Midlanders will move above Drogheda into second place and to within five points of leaders Shelbourne.

Last weekend, Drogheda recorded a fine 4-2 victory at home to Cobh, while Longford Town endured a disappointing three-one defeat away to Limerick.

Longford won both of the previous league encounters between the sides. Back in March, second-half goals from Dean Byrne, Aaron Dobbs and Peter Hopkins, earned Longford a three-nil triumph at the City Calling Stadium. Then at United Park in early May, Dobbs was again on the mark with the only goal of the match to secure three valuable points for Neale Fenn’s charges.

Longford’s two new signings, Jack Doherty and Dylan Grimes made their Town Debuts against Limerick last weekend, with Doherty starting before being replaced by Grimes on seventy-three minutes.

Town keeper Lee Steacy and defenders Conor Kenna and Anto Breslin have been ever present for the first team this season and will continue to lead the defence tonight with Shane Elworthy and Mick O’Donnell completing the back five.

Carlton Ubaezuonu who was an unused substitute last week is out through injury and Paul O’Connor remains unavailable through injury.

Action from our previous league match v Drogheda United at United Park in May which we won 1-0.


MATCH PREVIEW: Limerick v Longford Town

Fri Jul 5th 2019

Match Preview by Tony Ghee

Longford Town travel to the Markets Field this Friday night to take on Limerick FC, hoping to secure a victory to cement their second placed position in the SSE Airtricity League First Division and to keep the pressure on league leaders Shelbourne.

Last weekend, fifth placed Limerick suffered their first home league defeat of the season when they lost one-nil to leaders Shelbourne, as the prolific Ciaran Kilduff scored the all important only goal of the contest. However, the Treaty side were very unlucky not to preserve their unbeaten home record as they missed a penalty before Kilduff’s match winning strike

Longford Town were on the right side of a one-nil score-line as Sam Verdon’s first half strike secured the three points for the Midlanders. Indeed, apart from a ten minute purple patch for Cobh which should have resulted in at least a goal for the Cork side, Longford dominated the contest and should have won by a much bigger margin.

Action from last week’s game v Cobh. (Photo: Syl Healy)

Limerick have beaten Bray, Cabinteely, Cobh, Galway and Athlone at the Markets Field, while they have drawn with Drogheda, Wexford and Longford Town before suffering defeat to Shelbourne last weekend, so their home form has been impressive.

Apart from the opening day stalemate between the sides at the Markets Field, Longford won the other League meeting between the sides with Dean Byrne grabbing the winning goal at the City Calling Stadium in a one-nil victory.

However, before the Town’s winning goal, Limerick’s Shane Tracy missed a penalty which was saved by Town keeper Lee Stacey, and the Munster side also played the last half-hour with ten-men after Sean McSweeney’s dismissal on the hour mark.

Limerick manager Tommy Barrett will be without dangerous striker Conor Ellis who has departed the club and that is a big blow to Limerick’s play-off prospects, but he will be looking to the likes of former Longford Town keeper, Jack Brady, and defenders, Shane Tracy and Robbie Williams to help the home side to keep a clean sheet.

Longford Town have missed a lot of crucial chances in games this season that has resulted in points being lost, and manager Neale Fenn is hoping to sign a striker to rectify that shortfall very shortly.

Apart from midfielder Paul O’Connor’s absence, everyone else is available for selection for the ‘Red & Black’

MATCH PREVIEW: Longford Town v Cobh Ramblers

Fri Jun 28th 2019

Preview by Tony Ghee

Longford Town’s first match after the mid-summer break is a home clash against Cobh Ramblers at the City Calling Stadium this Saturday night with the big match kicking-off at half past seven.

Neale Fenn’s charges are second in the table, four points behind leaders Shelbourne with ten matches to go. Only five points separate the Town from sixth place Bray, and the battle for the play-offs promises to be full of drama and excitement that will probably only be decided on the final day of the regular season.

Longford will be hoping to bounce back from their late collapse away to Bray last time out, as a two-one lead with five minutes to go finished in a three-two loss when Killian Cantwell and towering centre-back Hugh Douglas netted on eighty-eight and ninety-three minutes to sensationally earn all three points for the Wicklow side.

In contrast, seventh placed Cobh go into Saturday’s contest with a pep in their step after defeating Galway Utd two-one at Saint Colman’s Park with Denzil Fernandes and talismanic Jaze Kabia on the mark.

However, the loss of manager Stephen Henderson who resigned after the victory over Galway is a blow for Cobh, and it will be interesting to see how the Cobh players will react to Henderson’s departure.

Cobh are capable of beating big teams as demonstrated by their run to last season’s EA Sports Cup Final and their earlier two-one home victory over table-toppers Shelbourne this season.

The earlier league meeting in Saint Colman’s Park ended in a goalless stalemate, while last season Cobh won two-one and drew two all with the ‘Red & Black’ in the two league matches played at the City Calling Stadium, so Longford Town can expect another tough battle on Saturday evening.

On the team news front, Jamie Hollywood, Kevin Knight, and Sean Brennan have all departed the City Calling Stadium and the club would like to wish them well for the future.

Action from Town’s previous meeting with Cobh Ramblers at St. Colman’s Park


Match Preview: Bray Wanderers v Longford Town FC

Fri Jun 14th 2019

Match Preview by James Donnelly

SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION
Bray Wanderers FC v Longford Town FC
Friday 14th June 2019 | Kick-off: 7.45pm
Carlisle Grounds

Longford Town make the trip to the Carlisle Grounds for the first time in three years tonight as they take on Bray Wanderers in a 7.45pm kick off.

De Town go into tonight’s game off the back of a dramtic 1-0 win over Wexford FC at the City Calling Stadium last weekend. A 91st minute goal from super sub Jamie Doyle broke Wexford hearts and gained all 3 points for Neale Fenn and co.

Bray narrowly lost out to Shelbourne last week. A well taken free kick from Karl Moore early in the first half was the sole effort that seperated the sides after 90 minutes.

With Wanderers currently in 6th on 25 points, 8 points behind 2nd place Longford, a win tonight is vital for the home side. Former Longford Town player, assistant & caretaker Manager Gary Cronin is Manager of Bray and will no doubt be looking for a response from his team.

Earlier in the season, Longford had a comfortable 2-0 victory at the City Calling Stadium over our opponents tonight. Neale Fenn will be hoping that the team can continue their fine form ad come away from the Carlisle Grounds with all 3 points before the break.

In terms of team news for De Town, Paul O’Conor and Kevin Knight are both out with Aodh Dervin doubtful.

For Bray, midfielder Brandon McCann is doubtful.

#CmonDeTown

Longford Town celebrate scoring during our last encounter with Bray Wanderers in which De Town won 2-0.



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