Tag: Airtricity

Match Report: Shelbourne FC 6-1 Longford Town FC

Sat Jul 28th 2018

Match Report by James Donnelly

Longford Town FC suffered their heaviest defeat of the 2018 season on Friday night as Neale Fenn’s 10 man team went down 6-1 to Shelbourne at Tolka Park. De Town came into the game off the back of a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Wexford FC last week so confidence was high going into the game.

Shelbourne had the first chance of the night, when former Town player and club record goal-scorer David O’Sullivan’s glancing header went wide of the post. From then, Longford settled into the game and began a period of pressure on the home team. New Town signing and former Shelbourne man Jamie Doyle went close, only being denied by the hands of Dean Delany in goal. Dylan McGlade caused problems on the wing along with Karl Chambers and Shane Elworthy on the opposite side.

Against the run of play however, Shelbourne got their first goal of the night just before half time, when a free in to the box was met in the air by Dave Mulcahy who flicked it into the far corner to head home.

Town immidiately responded in the second half and got the equalizer 5 minutes in. Tristan Noack-Hofmann made a great run down the left wing before cutting inside and earning a corner. McGlades delivery was met by Michael McDonnell who’s header towards goal fell to Sam Verdon who tapped it in from close range to level things up.

Sam Verdon celebrates scoring Longford Town’s equalizer. Photo: Ken Keenan Photography

From then on, things went downhill. Shelbourne got their second of the night on 68 minutes when a good break saw the ball driven across the box before it fell to Karl Moore on the left who drove it under the legs of both Elworthy and Kelly in the Town goal.

A moment of madness only 2 minutes later saw the home side get their 3rd goal of the night. Daniel O’Reilly picked up the ball in the centre circle, holding posession, he turned back towards Sam Verdon to pass it off. As he did, the ref ran towards him and the ball ricocheted off him and into the path of a Shels man who sent David O’Sullivan through 1 on 1 with Kelly and the former Longford record goal scorer made no mistake in slotting it home, much to the anger of the travelling support and assistant Manager Daire Doyle who was inevitably sent to the stand.

Doyle went close again for Longford, this time turning on to his left foot inside the Shels box and forcing Delany to pull off a stunning save from close range. Things went from bad to worse for De Town however, Doyle was harshly sent off follwing an exchange with the ref after he had been deemed to have fouled a Shelbourne player.

Shels then took control of the game in the last quarter. Karl Moore completed his hat-trick to make it 5-1 before the Dublin side were awarded a soft penalty in the last few minutes in which James English cooly shot low to the left to make it 6.

A tough, tough night for Neale Fenn and co.

TEAM LINE-UPS

Shelbourne: Dean Delany, John Ross Wilson, Dave Mulcahy, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Aidan Collins, Karl Moore, Mark Hughes, Adam Evans, Gavin Boyne, David O’Sullivan, James English

Subs: Lee Steacy, Dayle Rooney, James O’Brien (sub for Gavin Boyne), Greg Moorehouse, Reece McEnteer(sub for Aidan Collins), Cian Kavanagh, Shane Farrell

Longford Town: Michael Kelly, Shane Elworthy, Michael McDonnell, Daniel O’Reilly, Tristan Noack-Hofmann, Dylan McGlade, Jamie Hollywood, Aodh Dervin, Karl Chambers, Sam Verdon, Jamie Doyle (Red Card)]

Subs: Ben Kelly, Darren Meenan (sub for Jamie Hollywood), Eoin O’Neill (sub for Sam Verdon), Evan O’Connor, Dean Dillon (sub for Karl Chambers), Dean Zambra, Warren Mitchell.

Hear from Longford Town FC Manager Neale Fenn after the game: https://soundcloud.com/longford-town-tv/post-match-interview-with-neale-fenn-shelbourne-fc-270718

Match Preview: Finn Harps v Longford Town FC (13/07/18)

Thu Jul 12th 2018

SSE Airtricity League First Division
Finn Harps v Longford Town FC
Friday 13th July 2018
Finn Park | 8pm

Preview by James Donnelly

With Finn Harps just two points ahead of Longford Town with 32, Neale Fenn’s men have a real chance of leap-frogging over the Donegal side and into fourth place on Friday night, should they perform at the high level we have seen them play at this season.

Last week, Longford lost out at home to a resilient and deserving Cobh Ramblers team. Their defensive tactics and counter attacking football in the last quarter of the game proved key as the Cork men grabbed a winner five minutes from the end after De Town had equalized through Sam Verdon. Sam, after picking up 5 yellow cards, is now suspended for Friday night’s clash with Ollie Horgans side.

Harps had a great win last week away to Drogheda United. In what was Drogs first home defeat of the season, John O’Flynn popped up in the 89th minute to gain all 3 points for the visitors.

Last time Longford travelled up to face the Harps was back at the start of June. Town dominated Harps from the get go and were leading 2-0 at half time before Harps showed great character in getting two quick goals early in the second half to get back on terms. Longford dug deep however and got back ahead only minutes later, Sam Verdon again the goal scorer. Dylan McGlade who had scored one in the first half, killed the game off getting his second and Longford’s fourth to see all three points go to De Town. In the previous encounter at the City Calling Stadium, Longford were very unlucky when Harps grabbed a winner in injury time. A game full of action and incidents, Sam Todd got the all important goal to send Ollie Horgan home happy.

In terms of team news, Longford’s new signings are all available. Jamie Doyle, Dean Dillon, Warren Mitchell, Craig Walsh and new goal keeper Ben Kelly are all in. Alan Kehoe, Peter Hopkins, CIan Byrne and Dean Byrne are all out through injury while Sam Verdon is serving a 1 match suspension.

Finn Harps have signed Jacob Borg and he is available after getting international clearance during the week while Tommy McBride returns from suspension. The two O’Connor’s have left the club. Harps big loss is Paddy McCourt who is out through injury along with Mark Coyle and Adam Duffy.

Match Report: Wexford FC 0-2 Longford Town FC

Sat May 12th 2018

SSE Airtricity League First Division

Wexford FC 0-2 Longford Town FC
Friday 11th May 2018
Ferrycarrig Park •  Kick-off: 8.00pm

 

Match Report by James Donnelly

Longford Town continued their run of form with a comfortable 2-0 win over Wexford FC at Ferrycarring Park on Friday night. In front of a disappointing crowd of 70 or so, Neale Fenn’s men dispatched the challenge of the former Youths with a goal in each half from Jamie Hollywood and Chris Mulhall.

It was Wexford who had the opening chance of the game, Shane Barnes latching on to a cross from the right side and shooting inside the box but his effort was deflected by Town Captain Dean Zambra who had raced back to cover.

Longford looked to open their account on 11 minutes when forward Chris Mulhall held up the ball brilliantly even when it appeared he was fouled, to then turn on to his right foot and shoot but his attempt was wide of the mark.

De Town had the majority of possession throughout the entirety of the 90 minutes and it wasn’t long before they got the opener. A corner kick from Darren Meenan on 19 minutes was hit high across the box to the waiting Jamie Hollywood who took it down expertly on his right foot and blasted the ball into the top corner with his left foot from just inside the box.

Wexford never got going after that and Longford began to control the game. Dylan McGlade swung in a high ball that troubled Wexford Keeper Kealan Gaffney which forced him to punch clear even though there was no Town players around him at the time. This was followed up by another attack from McGlade, this time going by two men and feigning a shot before eventually turning on to his left but his powerful strike only stung the hands of Gaffney in goal.

Half time saw the introduction of Evan Galvin for Darren Meenan and his impact was immediate. Gaining possession on the left wing, Galvin beat one man before laying it off to Tristan Noack-Hofmann who’s shot was straight into the hands of Gaffney.

Jamie Hollywood scores the opener for Longford Town during their 2-0 victory over Wexford FC. Pic: Ken Keenan Photography

Longford got their second on 55 minutes when a corner was headed across goal by Town defender Michael McDonnell to Noack-Hofmann who in turned headed it towards goal and then it was just a simple header into the net for Chris Mulhall. Although Gaffney pushed it back out, the ref was in clear view and blew his whistle for the goal, much to the delight of Mulhall who made sure everyone knew the goal was his and not Sam Verdons who had tapped in the rebound.

Town had a chance to make it 3-0 on 78 minutes when a scoffed clearance from Wexford keeper Gaffney landed at Evan Galvins feet. The Cork man tried to lob the scrambling Gaffney but Owen McCormack had raced back to cover the line and consequently cleared the ball.

Dean Byrne went close in the closing moments when he cut inside on the right wing but his low shot was saved by the outstretched foot of Gaffney.

While the result was never in doubt, Longford never really stepped into 3rd gear and will be looking for an even bigger performance against Shelbourne at the City Calling Stadium next week.

TEAM LINE-UPS

Wexford FC: Kealan Gaffney, Sean Hurley, Ross Kenny (C), Owen McCormack, Mikey Byrne, Mark Slater (subbed: George), Thomas Croke, Liam McCartan (subbed: Doyle), Shane Barnes, Ryan Nolan (subbed: Kelly), AJ Lehane

Subs: Collum Feeney, Sean Kelly, John Morgan, Danny Doyle, Dean George, Dean Kelly, Aaron Dobbs.

Longford Town: Michael Kelly, Tristan Noack-Hofmann, Shane Elworthy, Michael McDonnell, Daniel O’Reilly, Dean Zambra (C), Dylan McGlade, Jamie Hollywood (subbed: Ryan), Darren Meenan (subbed: Galvin), Sam Verdon, Chris Mulhall (subbed: Byrne)

Subs: Jack Brady, Evan Galvin, Daniel Ridge, Jackson Ryan, Dean Byrne, Adam O’Connor, Karl Chambers

Match Preview: Longford Town v Wexford FC

Thu Mar 8th 2018

SSE Airtricity League First Division
Longford Town FC v Wexford FC
City Calling Stadium
Saturday 10th March 2018 | Kick-off: 7.30pm

Article by Kieran Burke – @KieranBTS/@BetweenStripes

Surprise winners on the opening day away to many peoples fancies as a dark horse this season, Cabinteely, Damien Locke’s Wexford FC could prove to be surprise packages in their own right after an underwhelming 2017 season.

With much upheaval both on and off the pitch at Ferrycarrig last season, little was expected of Wexford FC, who were taking part in their first ever League of Ireland season, replacing Wexford Youths, who ceased to exist following relegation from the top flight in 2016.

Losing the likes of Danny Furlong and Graham Doyle, two of the most experienced and highly rated players in their respective positions, new boss Damien Locke was always likely to opt for a young playing squad given the lack of financial power Wexford FC could muster compared to the divisions more established sides.

Only winning on four occasions in the league last season, the South-East club’s humiliating FAI Cup exit to non-league Crumlin United compounded Wexford’s misery. However, a positive run of form towards the tail-end of 2017 offered fresh hope, mainly thanks to the arrival of a number of clearly talented youngsters in Aaron Dobbs, Dean Kelly and Danny Bolger.

Having secured the services of striker, Dobbs on a full-season loan this time around, much more is expected of the player and his Wexford FC team-mates, despite the fact the 2018 First Division is being touted as the most competitive in League of Ireland history.

With a strong pre-season under their belts, which included an impressive 3-0 win over Bray Wanderers at the Carlise Grounds, the positives vibes felt towards the end of last year have carried on and been multiplied by the dozen thanks to that opening day win over Cabinteely.

Sean Hurley bagged his first ever League of Ireland goal to seal the 1-0 triumph in the Capital a fortnight ago and the former Bray Wanderers and Waterford United youngster will have to be marshaled closely with the midfielders confidence at an all-time high, thanks to not only that match winner but a strong college football campaign during the off-season.

Elsewhere, the threat posed by Shamrock Rovers loanee and Wexford native, Aaron Dobbs should not be underestimated by Neale Fenn’s side. The pacey striker offers powerful running in behind the defensive line, while the number nine is also very strong in the air despite his diminutive stature.

Longford Town will be looking to call on the experience of last seasons 5-0 win at this very ground over Wexford, but as ever expect the visitors to set up quite deep and look to frustrate their Midland opponents.

While Damien Locke’s men did lose three of the four head to head meetings with Longford last season, Wexford FC did manage to record a scoreless draw in the very first league meeting of 2017 and the South-East club will look to approach this latest meeting in similar fashion.

Another quick start, as seen in the opening game against Cobh Ramblers, would be very useful for tonight’s hosts, however, patience may prove key given the visitors potentially defensive set-up and Town manager, Neale Fenn is sure to stress that to his players before the walk out onto the hallowed City Calling Stadium turf.

Enjoy the game!

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