Match Preview: Shamrock Rovers v Longford Town FC

EA SPORTS CUP 2nd Round

Shamrock Rovers v Longford Town FC
Tuesday 24/04/18 | Tallaght Stadium | 7.45pm

by Andrew Dempsey

Longford Town have the perfect opportunity to shake off their disappointing two-nil home defeat against a Georgie Kelly inspired UCD side by kicking off their EA Sports Cup campaign in mouth-watering fashion with a fascinating away tie to Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium this evening (Kick-off is at 7.45pm).

After losing our unbeaten home run against the “Students” last time out, Neale Fenn must prepare his Longford Town side for a fantastic opportunity to write the wrongs of last weekend’s defeat at the City Calling Stadium with a big win at Tallaght Stadium.

Coincidentally, “Town” were in fact unfortunately knocked out of last season’s version of the EA Sports Cup with a defeat in the Quarter-Final against Stephen Bradley’s side while under the stewardship of previous boss Alan Matthews as the “Hoops” went on to reach the final, where they lost to Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk at Tallaght Stadium.

After a solid start to our season, we currently lie in 4^th place in the First Division following some excellent wins over Cabinteely and Athlone Town at home which has kept the “Red and Black” well in contention for the promotion places come the end of the season while playing an entertaining brand of football at the same time.

Our Premier Division opponents currently lie in 5^th place of an incredibly competitive and fiercely contested league and have had some big wins over Bray Wanderers and Derry City in recent weeks at Tallaght Stadium.

However, the last few weeks haven’t been kind at all to Stephen Bradley’s charges having gone on a four-game winless run that is not typical of a Shamrock Rovers side that have so much quality within their ranks.

Neale Fenn will have to contend without the services of right-full back Shane Elworthy, dangerous midfield star Peter Hopkins, the industrious Shane O’Connor and former Bray Wanderers man Alan Kehoe this evening as injury issues all have ruled the quartet out of the exciting trip to Tallaght Stadium this evening.