Match Preview

MATCH PREVIEW: Longford Town v Wexford FC

Sat Jun 8th 2019

Match Preview by Kieran Burke (@KieranBTS)

Longford Town will be looking to avoid a potential banana skin when they host an awkward Wexford FC side in the SSE Airtricity League First Division tonight, kick-off is at 7.30pm.

Despite sitting bottom of the second tier at present, Wexford FC have dramatically improved on their showings from last season, when heavy beatings and an uncompetitive nature were regular occurrences for the South-East based outfit. This year, under the watch of rookie manager Brian O’Sullivan, Wexford FC have been more than competitive, even against sides that dwarf the amateurs of Wexford in terms of budget and resources. You only have to ask Bray Wanderers, who Wexford turned over earlier this season how big of a danger underestimating this side can be.

That win over Bray is just one of two for O’Sullivan’s team this season with the other victory coming at home to Athlone Town, who sit just two points ahead of Wexford ahead of the latest round of First Division fixtures.

As for the hosts, Longford Town come into this latest home fixture off the back of a nervy win over Galway United on Bank Holiday Monday, as Neale Fenn’s troops appeared to take their foot off the gas in the second half, almost costing the Midlanders a vital three points. First half goals from Dean Byrne & Sam Verdon were enough to ensure Galway’s second half strike was nothing more than a conciliation but Fenn is sure to demand a more consistent showing across the ninety-minutes from his players tonight.

Underestimation of Wexford FC simply won’t be a concern for the Town management, given the major fright Longford received in the first meeting away to Wexford earlier this season. Going behind to a Danny Furlong goal, Town eventually rallied late to come away from Ferrycarrig Park with a crucial 2-1 victory but to say it wasn’t pretty would be a major understatement.

That result was built off determination, belief and character and while those attributes are of the upmost importance for any side with title ambitions, a more assured performance from a Town team, who will enter the game as heavy favourites, would be more than welcomed by the home faithful.

With league leaders, Shelbourne away to Bray Wanderers at 3pm today, Longford Town’s players will already know ahead of kick-off if they can go top of the table with a win tonight, however, with just Bray Wanderers to face (away) before the mid-season break, no team with title ambitions can afford to lose ground at this vital stage of the season.

Action pic from Town’s 2-1 victory at Ferrycarrig Park, earlier this season. Pic: Ken Keenan

Match Preview: Shelbourne v Longford Town

Thu May 30th 2019

BY ANDREW DEMPSEY

Longford Town make their second trip to the capital this season when they face top of the table Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Friday evening. (Kick-off is at 7.45pm)

Town boss Neale Fenn will be hoping that his side can kick on from their convincing derby day win over Athlone Town with a big result against Ian Morris’ side.

The Red and Black also come into the game having won the previous two games against the Reds by two goals in each in both the FAI Cup and First Division.

In the most recent showdown against Shels, Peter Hopkins and Karl Chambers both scored in what was a dominant victory for De Town.

However, Longford Town have not won a league game at Tolka Park since 2009, a memorable 5-4 win over Shelbourne which handed UCD the 2009 First Division crown.

Speaking to LTFC.ie, Town midfielder Jamie Hollywood admits that he is looking for revenge after Longford Town’s most recent defeat at the Dublin venue.

“The crowd from Longford is always great down in Tolka. The Shels fans are coming out in numbers again so it does create a nice atmosphere.

“You want to be playing in games like that. I’ve mentioned it already; the 6-1 defeat still is a bit sore from last year with a lot of us.

“The game got away from us because we felt we were well on top in the first half and then the sending off killed us. We were three-one down and we went for it, going close to make it three-two and then just like that it was 4-1 and the floodgates then opened.

“It wasn’t a 6-1 game, and I think that hurt us a bit because we really were on top and we probably felt like we should’ve won the game and I know it’s hard to believe when you lose 6-1 but we never stopped going forward.

“We probably could’ve sat in at 3-1 but that’s not like us. a few teams might want to do that, but we wouldn’t be like that.

“The game is going to be high-tempo with both teams looking for a really big result.”

In terms of team news, Sam Verdon is Neale Fenn’s only doubt for the trip to the Richmond Road venue.

MATCH PREVIEW: Galway United v Longford Town

Thu May 16th 2019

MATCH PREVIEW BY TONY GHEE

Longford Town will hope to bounce back from last week’s first league defeat of the season against new league leaders Cabinteely FC, when they travel to Eamon Deacy Park to face Galway United.

Due to the postponement of their scheduled clash in March, this will be the first meeting of the sides this season, and Longford Town FC will be hoping to continue the Tribesmen’s dreadful home league record which has seen Galway win just one of their six home matches, losing the other five.

Indeed, Galway’s only home triumph was a two-nil win over Wexford FC last time out as goals from Conor Barry and Maurice Nugent sealed all three points for Galway. However, all five home losses to Shelbourne, Bray, Drogheda, Limerick and Cobh were by just a one goal margin, which suggests that Longford Town are in for a highly competitive encounter.

While Galway are struggling in ninth place with just three victories and nine points from their opening ten fixtures, Longford Town are flying high in second place just two points off top spot with a game in hand.

The Town are unbeaten on the road with three wins and three draws in their six away matches, and having only conceded three goals in eleven matches, the Midlanders will be quietly confident of keeping a ninth league clean sheet and snatching a narrow victory in their bid to regain top spot.

Neale Fenn’s charges will have to keep a careful watch on dangerous striker Vinny Faherty, and midfielders Conor Barry and Colin Kelly who can also cause problems for opposition defences.

Action from last week’s 1-0 loss against Cabinteely. Picture by Tiernan Dolan

While Longford Town have no injury concerns, they will be missing Jamie Hollywood and Joe Manley who are both exam tied.

Kick-off at Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday night is at 7.45pm. There will be live updates on the match on the Longford Town Twitter account, while on Shannonside-Northern Sound on Saturday, there will be the staple after match interviews and post match discussion with Dave Hooper and guests.

Match Preview: Longford Town FC v Cabinteely FC

Fri May 10th 2019

Match Preview by James Donnelly

SSE Airtricity League First Division
Longford Town FC v Cabinteely FC
Saturday 10th May | 7.30pm
City Calling Stadium

The two top teams of the first division come head to head at the City Calling Stadium on Saturday night. Neale Fenn’s unbeaten Longford Town side welcome Pat Devlin’s high flying Cabinteely who are just one point behind De Town in the league table.

Longford will be looking to make it 5 home wins out of 5 and extend their unbeaten run to 11 consecutive games. Cabo will be no pushover though as they are in great form away from home having beaten Wexford, Cobh, Drogheda and Shels on the road.

The last meeting between the two clubs back in March saw the points shared as the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Goals from Rob Manley (brother of current LTFC defender Joe) and Sam Verdon decided the encounter in a game that both teams felt they could have gotten the win from.

Since then, both clubs have been in flying form with the De Town just edging ahead by one point but also with a game in hand due to a home game against Galway being postponed for the June Bank Holiday.

The Red and Black had a brilliant win away to Drogheda last week thanks to an Aaron Dobbs goal just before half time. They had their work cut out for them in the second half however, as the home side brought wave after wave of attack but the back line of Lee Steacy in goal, Shane Elworthy, Mick McDonnell, Conor Kenna and Anto Breslin held firm for yet another clean sheet.

Cabo are coming into Saturday’s game on a high. Pat Devlin has transformed this team over the last few months and they cannot be underestimated. A win away to Wexford was followed by a hard fought draw away to Bray and a brilliant win at home against Shelbourne thanks to Kieran Marty Waters. The threat of Waters is always present and throw in the first division top scorer Rob Manley and it makes for an interesting game. The top scorer of the division up against the best defence in the division should provide an intriguing contest.

In terms of team news for Longford, Neale Fenn has a full selection to choose from this week. Kevin Knight made his first competitive start against Drogs last week and may well start against his former club this weekend. Peter Hopkins returned last week also after being out ill, the week before.

No team news in for Cabinteely.

Kick off on Saturday is at 7.30pm.

C’mon De Town!

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MATCH PREVIEW: Longford Town v Wexford FC

Match Preview by Kieran Burke (@KieranBTS)