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Longford Town 1-2 Bray Wanderers

Sun Sep 15th 2019

Bray Wanderers defeated nine men Longford 2-1 tonight at the City Calling Stadium.

A goal from John Martin and a penalty from Dean Williams in the 88th minute saw Gary Cronin’s side steal it in Longford after a defiant Town team held out with 10 men before Shane Elworthy fouled in the box for Bray’s winner.

Longford took the lead through Dean Byrne on 10 minutes when he pounced on a loose ball in the box from Luka Lovic and slotted it by Hayden in the Bray goal.

Karl Chambers was harshly sent off for a second yellow 25 minutes in and that gave Longford an uphill battle. The seagulls got their equalizer right before half time taking advantage of the extra man, John Martin finished up a well worked move when he tapped in from close range.

Bray dominated possession in large parts of the second half but Longford held strong and could have taken the lead through Jack Doherty and Dean Byrne.

Bray finally got their winner n 88 minutes when Shane Elworthy was deemed to have pushed a Bray man in the penalty area. Anto Breslin was sent off in the aftermath and Dean Williams converted the spot kick to give Bray all three points.

(Match report by SSE Airtricity League website)

Team Line-Ups

Longford Town: Lee Steacy, Anto Breslin, Shane Elworthy, Conor Kenna, Karl Chambers, Jack Doherty, Dylan Grimes (Adam Evans ’70), Michael McDonnell, Dean Zambra, Dean Byrne, Sean Boyd (Peter Hopkins ’63).

Pictures by Tiernan Dolan

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.

Club Statement – Neale Fenn

Sat Aug 24th 2019

Longford Town Football Club would like to confirm that Manager Neale Fenn has resigned from his position and the club wish him the best for his future.

Daire Doyle has been appointed interim Manager.

The club will not be commenting any further on this issue.

Ends.

Longford Town beat Athlone Town in rescheduled FAI Cup First Round tie

Tue Aug 13th 2019

Match Report by James Donnelly

Full report on sseairtricityleague.ie

Longford Town earned a spot in the second round of the Extra.ie FAI Cup thanks to a 3-1 victory over near neighbours Athlone Town.

A lacklustre first half performance from the home side saw Athlone go in 1-0 up at the break.

A great goal from Kealan Dillon had Terry Butler’s side in front just before half time when he latched on to a loose ball in the box.

The second half was a different story as it took the home side just 45 seconds to get the equalizer through Aaron Dobbs.

Longford were the better of the teams in the second but Athlone had their chances through Ciaran Grogan who forced a save out of Lee Steacy from close range.

Longford took the lead on 72 minutes when Joe Manley tapped in from close range from a corner.

Athlone rallied late on and had Longford’s backs against the wall but Aaron Dobbs sealed the win in the 93rd minute with a brilliant breakaway move before he rounded Myles to slot it home from a tight angle and send Longford on their way to a second round tie away to Bohemians.

Team Line-Up

Longford Town: Lee Steacy, Joseph Manley, Michael McDonnell, Tristan Noack-Hofmann, Dylan Grimes, Aodh Dervin, Carlton Ubaezuonu (Dean Byrne ’80), Dean Zambra, Adam Evans (Sam Verdon ’72), Aaron Dobbs, Karl Chambers
Subs: Daniel Ridge, Paul O’Conor, Jack Menton, Sean Byrne, Paddy O’Sullivan