Tag: Match

Match Report: Longford Town FC v Cork City FC

Sat Sep 8th 2018

Match Report by James Donnelly

The largest crowd of the season gathered at the City Calling Stadium on Friday night to witness Premier Division side Cork City take on Neale Fenn’s First Division Longford Town. Current Cup holders Cork City steamrolled into the City Calling Stadium and progressed to the semi finals of the FAI Cup after a controlled, professional performance against the Red and Black.

Cork looked to assert their dominance early on, Karl Sheppard showing intent when he went close after cutting inside from the right wing but his shot was expertly saved by Michael Kelly in the Longford goal.

The visitors didn’t take long in opening their account. Their first goal coming from their Captain on the night – Gearoid Morrissey on 20 minutes. A City corner wasn’t dealt with by Longford and Morrissey somehow, with his back to the goal, managed to flick it over his head and into the corner for a skillful finish.

Dylan McGlade, who had a quiet game for De Town, had a chance only a minute later when he cut inside on his favoured right foot but dragged his shot wide of Peter Cherrie’s goal.

Karl Sheppard showed his class for Cork’s second goal only 3 minutes after their first when he brilliantly rounded Karl Chambers twice before swinging in a cross that was met by a powerful header from Kieran Sadlier at close range that left Michael Kelly no chance.

McGlade went close again, this time picking up a loose cross, he cut inside the box before his zapping shot was deflected narrowly over the bar and out for a corner.

Longford supporters would have felt they could still be in with a fighting chance going in 2-0 down at half time but the game changing moment came on 40 minutes when referee Ray Matthews deemed Darren Meenan to have dangerously fouled a Cork man and gave the Dubliner a straight red. It was an uphill battle from then on for Longford after what seemed like a harsh sending off from the multiple angles the RTE cameras captured of the incident.

Jamie Doyle had a chance to grab a goal back for Longford just before half time. After doing well to hold the ball up from a Town clearance, he turned his man and managed to get a shot off but it was straight into the hands of Cherrie.

Longford Town’s Aodh Dervin pictured in action during Friday night’s cup clash with Cork City. Pic: Ken Keenan Photography

John Caulfield’s men started the second half as they did the first, pushing forward on Longford every time they got on the ball. The extra man didn’t help things for De Town and they conceded a third goal on 54 minutes when Ronan Coughlan pounced on a loose ball in the box to easily slot it home after some great work down the wing by Sheppard.

Cork got their fourth goal 15 minutes later when Sadlier swung a cross field ball to Griffin and his cross was met by Sadlier at the far post. A great move between the two players with the Leesider’s showing no mercy.

Former Longford Town man Josh O’Hanlon got Cork’s fifth goal after an assist from Sadlier from the left side and O’Hanlon made no mistake blasting it home with the left foot.

The goal of the game came from Sadlier on 88 minutes when he sealed his hatrick. Cutting inside from 30 yards out, he unleashed a rocket of a shot that went straight into the net past the outstretched hands of Kelly in goal. A goal that was appreciated even by the dissapointed Town supporters.

Cork wrapped things up in stoppage time when a counter attack saw a 4 on 2 move end with Barry McNamee scoring their seventh and final goal of the game.

Over 1.100 supporters turned up to the City Calling Stadium for Friday night’s game. Pic: Ken Keenan Photography

A tough game and disappointing result for Neale Fenn and his team but there were some positives to take. The likes of Tumelo Tlou and Eoin O’Neill coming on showed the progress of Longford’s youth system. Young players like Aodh Dervin and Karl Chambers, both of whom worked their socks off, will gain valuable experience from playing opposition of such a high level. The main aim of this season was promotion and Longford are very much still in with a chance of doing that and that was always going to be in the back of the mind of the players and managment alike. The big game is against Drogheda at United Park next week.

TEAM LINE-UPS

Longford Town: Michael Kelly, Shane Elworthy, Michael McDonnell, Tristan Noack-Hofmann, Karl Chambers, Peter Hopkins, Dean Zambra (c), Aodh Dervin, Darren Meenan, Dylan McGlade, Jamie Doyle.

Subs: Ben Kelly, Tumelo Tlou (replaced Peter Hopkins), Eoin O’Neill, (replaced Dylan McGlade), Dean Dillon (replaced Jamie Doyle), Jackson Ryan, Evan O’Connor

Cork City: Peter Cherrie, Aaron Barry, Alan Bennett, Shane Griffin, Steven Beattie, Garry Buckley, Jimmy Keohane, Gearoid Morrissey, Kieran Sadlier, Ronan Coughlan, Karl Sheppard.

Subs: Graham Cummins, Shane Daly-Butz (replaced Karl Sheppard)., Conor McCormack, Sean McLoughlin, Barry McNamee (replaced Alan Bennett), Mark McNulty, Josh O’Hanlon (replaced Gerard Morrissey).

Attendance: 1,181

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: Longford Town FC 3-2 Galway United

Sat Jun 2nd 2018

SSE Airtricity League First Division

Longford Town FC 3-2 Galway United

Friday 1st June 2018
City Calling Stadium |  7:45PM

Match Report by James Donnelly

 

19 year old local star Aodh Dervin shined brightly at the City Calling Stadium last Friday night as Longford Town ran out 3-2 winners over Galway United. Dervin, alongside man of the match Sam Verdon and Karl Chambers all picked up a goal each to earn Neale Fenn’s men all 3 points in what was an exciting back and forth encounter. Two goals also for Galway, a missed penalty and a sending off for Longford Town made the game one to remember for the 410 there to witness it at the Strokestown Road venue.

Longford started the game brightly with Dervin missing a chance just a few minutes in. Dylan McGlade’s cross was poorly cleared by former Town defender Stephen Walsh and it fell to Dervin on the edge of the box who blasted it over the bar. He made up for that miss not too long after when Dean Byrne found him near enough in the same position and this time he made no mistake, bending the ball into the far corner of the Galway net to put Longford Town 1-0 up with less than 10 minutes gone on the clock. A brilliant goal and a memorable one for the young Longford man’s first at senior level.

Galway almost immediately equalized straight after, a long throw in from the left side was headed on by Eoin McCormack to Gary Shanahan but his impressive effort was brilliantly saved by the fingertips of Town goalkeeper Michael Kelly who went on to make a number of key saves during the game.

The every lively Dylan McGlade created problems for Galway throughout and his crosses in the first half caused major headaches for Shane Keegan’s men, Tristan Noack-Hofmann going close with a header as a result of a McGlade corner.

Longford Town’s Shane Elworthy pictured in action during De Town’s 3-2 victory over Galway at the City Calling Stadium. Pic: Tiernan Dolan

Gary Shanahan and Eoin McCormack linked up again for Galway on 32 minutes, Shanahan beating Noack-Hofmann on the right side before putting in a cross that met the feet of McCormack who had gotten between the two centre backs Daniel O’Reilly and Michael McDonnell, but his shot from 5 yards out was hit high and over as Town escaped a possible equalizer for the tribesmen.

Town pressured Galway and didn’t allow them much time on the bal in the first halfl. The westerners struggled to clear and Darren Meenan gaining possession in the corner, played it across to Dean Byrne who’s shot was blocked by Walsh at the last second.

Aodh Dervin could have had his second of the night on 40 minutes when McGlade broke down the right wing before laying it inside to Noack-Hofmann who slipped it to Dervin but his shot was straight into the hands of Gleeson in goal.

Galway still managed to create chances with Eoin McCormack going close again on 42 minutes, this time for 30 yards out, his shot narrowly going wide of Michael Kelly’s right hand post.

It could have been 2-0 to Longford immediately after when centre back Michael McDonnell went up for a Darren Meenan free on the right hand side but his looping header was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Gleeson.

Town eventually got their second just before half time when Sam Verdon struck low into the bottom right corner. A brilliant header by McGlade landed at the feet of Dean Byrne who slipped Verdon in behind the Galway defence and he made no mistake in slotting it by Gleeson to put Longford ahead, much to the delight of the home support who were loud throughout.

Longford suffered a major blow right at the half time whistle when Darren Meenan was given a straight red on what appeared to be a reckless challenge on Galway’s Conor Barry. No contact was made but referee Thomas Dempsey deemed it serious enough to issue the Dublin man a red card.

With Longford down to 10 men, Galway came out all guns blazing and proceeded to rain down attacks on the Town defence. Alex Byrne going close in the opening minutes, his shot from the edge of the box going wide after being deflected off his fellow team-mate McCormack.

Sam Verdon who scored Longford’s second, pictured alongside former Town player Stephen Walsh.

Dean Byrne missed a glorious opportunity to put the game to bed when on 50 minutes, he intercepted a bad pass from Galway’s Robbie Williams, went by the defender and ended up 6 yards out from goal but his left footed shot was blazed over the bar, much to the relief of the travelling Galway support.

Galway got one back on 56 minutes when Dylan McGlade, who had been playing superb, was caught in possession by McCormack, the ball fell to Conor Barry who went through on goal and expertly put it past Michael Kelly to make it 2-1. A lapse in concentration that luckily didn’t cost Longford in the end.

Again, McCormack was in the thick of it for Galway, this time winning a soft free kick against Longford’s McDonnell. The resultant free kick however, was straight into the hands of Kelly. Only minutes later, Marc Ludden went close for the Connaught side, his dragging shot going wide of the post.

Galway were given a very generous lifeline on 64 minutes when former Town player Ryan Connolly was awarded a penalty. The number 10 jumped up between Longford’s two centre backs after a botched clearance and fell hard on the ground which saw Dempsey blow his whistle, much to the astonishment of the Town players and supporters. Up stepped Alan Murphy who sky rocketed his shot high over the bar.

Ludden went close for Galway again, this time a 1-2 between McCormack and Connolly saw the ball land at the feet of Ludden in the box who’s shot brought a fine save from Kelly in the Longford goal. Kelly, proving invaluable during the game.

Longford finally got their third goal on 79 minutes when some lax defending from Galway saw the ball fall to substitute Jamie Hollywood on the edge of the box, he played it into Sam Verdon who laid it off to Karl Chambers who chested it down and volleyed it low past Gleeson, hitting the post, it came back out and hit Williams before ending up in the back of the net. Some would call it an own goal but we’re giving it to Chambers!

Galway got their second eight minutes later when a high ball wasn’t dealt with, the ball landed to Stephen Walsh who made no mistake hitting a powerful shot low into the bottom corner to make it 3-2 with 5 minutes remaining, hearts in their mouths for Longford fans.

Daniel O’Reilly almost made it 4-2 in injury time, his free kick from the edge of the box was saved by Glesson before Hollywood missed the rebound. Summing up Galways night, The free had been awarded after Gleeson had mistakenly walked outside his box while holding the ball, although no yellow card was issued.

The final whistle blew and City Calling Stadium erupted. A well needed win for Longford Town which puts them right back in contention for a promotion spot. Manager Neale Fenn said he was delighted with the team’s performance and result but stressed how important it is to follow it up with a good result in Finn Park on bank holiday Monday when Town travel to Ballybofey to take on Finn Harps.

Longford Town: Michael Kelly, Shane Elworthy, Michael McDonnell, Daniel O’Reilly, Tristan Noack-Hofmann, Dylan McGlade (replaced by Karl Chambers), Dean Zambra (C), Aodh Dervin, Darren Meenan (red card), Sam Verdom (replaced by Evan Galvin), Dean Byrne (replaced by Jamie Hollywood)

Subs not used: Jack Brady, Daniel Ridge, Jackson Ryan.

Galway United: Conor Gleeson, Maurice Nugent (replaced by Conor Melody), Robbie Williams, Stephen Walsh, Gary Shanahan, Alex Byrne (replaced by Stephen Kenny), Alan Murphy, Ryan Connolly ©, Marc Ludden, Conor Barry (replaced by Carlton Ubaezuonu), Eoin McCormack

Subs not used: Arek Mamala, Conor Layng, Ronan Manning.

Referee: Thomas Dempsey

Attendance: 410

Red Cards: (1) – Darren Meenan/Longford Town FC

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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