match report – Page 5 – Longford Town FC • Official Website

Match Report: Finn Harps 2-4 Longford Town FC

Tue Jun 5th 2018

SSE Airtricity League First Division
Finn Harps 2-4 Longford Town
Monday 4^thJune 2018
City Calling Stadium / 5.00pm

Match Report by James Donnelly

Longford Town rolled into Ballybofey yesterday evening high on momentum from the previous Friday’s brilliant win over Galway United at home. A trip up to Donegal only 3 days later seemed like a daunting task but De Town came away 4-2 winners in Finn Park in what was a physical, back and forth encounter.

Longford applied pressure on the northerners from the get go and there wasn’t more than 5 minutes on the clock when local star Aodh Dervin volleyed home from a Sam Verdon headed pass to put De Town 1-0 up. Dervin’s second goal in as many games for the club.

From then on, it was all Finn Harps. Ollie Horgan’s men began to hold possession and attack the Longford Town defence, Ciaran O’Connor going close from distance on 11 minutes, and Jesse Devers being denied by the finger tips of Town keeper Michael Kelly only a few moments later.

Sam Verdon could have put Longford 2-0 up on 14 minutes when a good solo run from the midfield saw the Dublin man’s shot hit the post of Ciaran Gallagher’s goal and bounce back out. A let off for the Donegal team.

Dylan McGlade got Longford’s second on the half hour mark when a beautifully placed pass from Dean Byrne found the pacy winger who easily slipped it past Gallagher in goal to put Longford in control.

Finn Harps had calls for a penalty waved away not too long after when Devers went down from what appeared to be an ok challenge from Dervin but Eoghan O’Shea immediately signalled no peno, much to the delight of the Longford Town travelling support and the dismay of Ollie Horgan.

The home side came out all guns blazing in the second half and it wasn’t long before they got their first goal back in the game. A challenge from Town defender Daniel O’Reilly resulted in a penalty for Finn Harps which Paddy McCourt duly put away with ease to get them back into the game. Only 4 minutes later, Harps got their equaliser when a through ball to Mikey Place saw him slip in behind the Town defence to slot it past Kelly to make it 2-2.

Dylan McGlade pictured scoring his second goal of the night and Longford Town’s fourth. Pic: Ken Keenan

But Longford were having none of it. De Town marched straight back up the pitch from tip off and won a corner. The resulting cross was hit across the box to Dean Byrne who swung it back in to the head of Sam Verdon who headed home from close range to put Neale Fenn’s men back in the driving seat. Dean Byrne’s second assist of the game.

McGlade stunned the home support again with a brilliant solo effort on 80 minutes. Picking the ball up in the centre circle, he dribbled down field with speed before turning his man and blasting it low into the corner of the net to cement the win for Longford Town.

The game ended 4-2 in favour of De Town but not without controversy, a Finn Harps man being sent off after the final whistle, first for a kick at substitute Jamie Hollywood and then a disgusting headbutt on substitute Chris Mulhall.

Poor sportsmanship on display at the end of a great game for Longford Town.

TEAM LINE-UPS

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher, Aidan Friel, Ciaran Coll (C), Keith Cowan, Jesse Devers, Ciaran O’Connor, Tommy McBride (red card), Mark Timlin, Paddy McCourt, Sam Todd.

Longford Town: Michael Kelly, Shane Elworthy, Daniel O’Reilly, Michael McDonnell, Tristan Noack-Hofmann, Dylan McGlade, Aodh Dervin, Dean Zambra (C), Dean Byrne, Sam Verdon, Karl Chambers

Subs: Jack Brady, Peter Hopkins (used), Chris Mulhall (used), Evan Galvin, Jamie Hollywood (used), Jackson Ryan.

Attendance: 545

MATCH REPORT: Lively stalemate between Longford and Shels

Sun May 20th 2018

Match Report by Tony Ghee

Longford Town and Shelbourne played out a one-all draw in an entertaining SSE Airtricity League First Division encounter at the City Calling Stadium with David O’Sullivan and Dylan McGlade both scoring goals against their former clubs as both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Shels dominated the opening half hour creating six good opportunities but the Town eventually worked their way back into the contest in the latter stages of the first half and produced a much better second-half performance.

In the eleventh minute, Evan’s firmly struck twenty-yard shot was palmed away by Town keeper Kelly and just a minute later, Kelly was called into action again as he saved a downward header from English after an excellent cross from Brown.

Two minutes later, another Shellbourne attack resulted in Hughe’s crisp low drive from the edge of the Town box producing another fine save from Kelly.

On eighteen minutes, the visitors created another chance when a sublime diagonal long pass from the left from Kavanagh picked out the unmarked English on the right edge of the box, but he blazed narrowly over the Longford bar.

Two minutes after that, Shels came at the Town defence again with a pin-point Hughes right-wing cross picking out Evans only for his volley to crash into the Town side-netting.

Shels came closest to taking a deserved lead on twenty-three minutes when Fitzgerald’s inswinging right-wing corner was missed by Town keeper Kelly, but he redeemed himself by superbly tipping over Mulcahy’s goalbound effort that seemed destined for the top corner.

After being outplayed for the opening half-hour, the Town suddenly woke up and played much better in the last fifteen minutes in which they created some good opportunities. In the twenty-ninth minute, a looping Noack-Hofmann header took a deflection off Shelbourne defender Prendergast and landed on top of the visitors net.

On thirty-five minutes, an Elworthy cross from the right was headed over by Verdon, but the best Town chance came two minutes later. A brilliant curling right-wing cross from McGlade found Verdon whose effort was blocked, the ball was then threaded into the path of Hollywood by McDonnell, but Hollywood’s strike was brilliantly pushed around the post by Shelbourne keeper Stacey.

The Town almost broke the deadlock two minutes after the resumption when O’Reilly’s shot from a McGlade free-kick was blocked on the line by a Shelbourne defender.

The Dubliners opened the scoring on fifty minutes when Longford Town’s all time record goalscorer, David O’Sullivan, who bagged a hat-trick against his former club in the earlier clash at Tolka Park, struck once again, as he lost his marker and timed his run to perfection to head home Fitzgerald’s corner.

Longford struck back with a sixty-first minute equaliser when a stray pass from English was intercepted by Town winger McGlade and he charged forward before drilling a low shot from just inside the box past Stacey into the Shels net.

De Town missed a glorious chance to take the lead on seventy-seven minutes when McGlade trickery on the left bamboozled two Shels defenders and his cross picked out the unmarked Verdon at the back post, but somehow, Verdon headed wide when it seemed easier to score.

A chipped cross from Town defender Noack-Hofmann a minute later almost ended up in the net, but the back-peddling Stacey managed to tip the ball over the bar.

The home side had a very lucky escape on eighty-six minutes when substitute Rooney crashed a shot off the underside of the Longford crossbar with the ball bouncing narrowly over inrushing striker O’Sullivan, but at the other end, the impressive McGlade almost won it for Longford in the last minute of normal time, however, Stacey produced a sharp save to keep his goal intact.

Next up for Neale Fenn’s charges is a Midlands Derby clash away to Athlone Town next Friday.

TEAM LINE-UPS

Longford Town: Kelly, Elworthy, McDonnell, O’Reilly, Noack-Hofmann, Hopkins, Hollywood, Dervin, McGlade, Verdon, Mulhall.
Substitutes: Meenan for Hollywood (62 minutes), Galvin for Hopkins (62 minutes), Byrne for Mulhall (90 minutes).

Shelbourne: Stacey, Brown, Mulcahy, Prendergast, Fitzgerald, English, Byrne, Hughes, Evans, Kavanagh, O’Sullivan.
Substitutes: Rooney for Kavanagh (67 minutes), Boyne for Hughes (85 minutes).

MATCH REPORT: Longford Town 1-2 Finn Harps

Sun Apr 29th 2018

Match Report by James Donnelly

Longford Town FC came into this game at City Calling Stadium riding a wave of confidence following a thrilling 1-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers in the second round of the EA Sports Cup last Tuesday night in Tallaght. Captain on the night Daniel O’Reilly knocking the south Dublin team out of the competition with a goal in the 89^th minute. Donegal’s Finn Harps came to the Midlands following a 1-0 win over Cabinteely in Ballybofey last weekend courtesy of an 86^th minute strike from Sam Todd. Ollie Horgan had been to every home game of Longford’s this season so the Northerners would have been well prepared.

Harps started the game well and caught De Town napping in the 6^th minute. The ball came out to BJ Banda on the left flank whose cross to Mark Coyle allowed him to easily turn onto his right and slot it by Michael Kelly in the Longford goal, albeit with a little help from the post.

From that moment on, and indeed for the entirety of the game, it was all Longford Town. Aodh Dervin (who went off injured at half-time) picked up the ball in the centre of the field, he picked out Dylan McGlade whose shot from distance was just wide of the Finn Harps post.

Only moments later, centre back and captain once again, Daniel O’Reilly, found himself on the right wing. He crossed the ball in for Sam Verdon who headed it back into the path of number 9, Chris Mulhall. Mulhall hesitated somewhat but managed to get his shot off only for it to be cleared off the line by Harps’ Paddy McCourt.

Mulhall was in the thick of it once again on 24 minutes when midfielder Jamie Hollywood cut inside from the right wing and toe pocked it to Mulhall whose diagonal shot was saved by Harps net minder Gallagher.

On 30 minutes, McGlade went close again from Longford. This time, cutting inside from the left wing, he took a swerving shot from distance that left Gallagher flat footed in goal but it just went narrowly over the bar.

Tension was building and tempers flared over when Harps player Michael O’Connor appeared to recklessly challenge Town defender Karl Chambers in the 38^th minute, a bit of pushing and shoving between a number of players ensued with Harps manager Ollie Horgan becoming very animated on the sideline. In the end, a yellow card was handed out to O’Connor for Harps. Alas, it wasn’t the last time that night that an O’Connor would receive a yellow, nor was it the end of some reckless challenges from the Harps players.

Longford had an appeal for a penalty turned down on 40 minutes. A botched clearance from Harps deflected back off Jamie Hollywood into the box where it appeared that number 5, Keith Cowan handled the ball but despite protests from Chris Mulhall and De Town faithful, the ref waved play on. Hollywood followed it up with a close range shot but it was parried away and eventually saved on the line by Gallagher.

Town eventually equalized just before the half time whistle. The ever lively Dylan McGlade again, picked the ball up on the left wing, he played a one-two with Sam Verdon and rifled his shot low into the bottom corner to leave Harps reeling going into the break.

Dylan McGlade, scorer of Town’s goal on 45 minutes

Half time saw De Town make one substitution, Aodh Dervin, who played magnificently in midfield, seemed to have been targeted by the Harps players and was on the receiving end of some outrageous challenges, one which left him with a bloody nose and one which eventually led to him needing to be replaced. Evan Galvin came on in his place.

The second half continued like the first. Longford had the majority of possession and chances but failed to capitalize on them.

Darren Meenan came close with a cross in the opening seconds that seemed to catch Gallagher out as he tipped it over the bar for a corner.

Town had another call for a penalty again from a possible handball in the 50^th minute. A Town corner was headed across goal from Tristan Noack-Hofmann, the ball seemed to hit McCourt’s hand and then bounce off a Harps defender standing on the goal line. A number of Town players immediately called out for a penalty but to no avail. Watching the video footage after, it appeared that the ball did in fact hit McCourt’s hand but whether or not the ref had a clear view is another story.

Mark Coyle was lucky not to be sent off for Finn Harps in the 69^th minute after a two footed tackle on Evan Galvin brought the Cork man down. The Harps players immediately swarmed the referee and eventually it was Ciaran O’Connor who received a yellow card, presumably for his animated protests. The resulting free kick was blocked and it fell to McGlade whose cross was met by Sam Verdon but his header was easily gathered by Gallagher.

It was beginning to look like it just wasn’t meant to be Longford’s night. A corner kick in the 73^rd minute saw Michael McDonnell’s header get flicked on by substitute Dean Byrne but his effort was, yep, you guessed it, cleared off the line by a Harps defender.

A speculative effort from Tristan Noack-Hofmann followed by a close range shot from Dylan McGlade wasn’t enough to snatch a winner for Longford. Heartbreak came once again in the dying moments for Longford.

A free in from Harps in the 90^th minute saw the ball go over Michael McDonnell’s head into the arms of Town keeper Michael Kelly who dropped the ball, the ball hit the back of McDonnell’s leg and fell into the path of Sam Todd who slotted it into an empty net. And that was it.

A frustrating night in City Calling Stadium for Neale Fenn & Co. However, De Town can take some positives from the game even if they are only small ones. Aodh Dervin, before going off injured was immense in the midfield, Dylan McGlade had a blinder and Karl Chambers put in a Man of the Match performance. De Town are creating so many chances and it was one mistake that turned the game. In the end, it could have been 5-1 to Longford but that’s football for you.

Aodh Dervin had another great game for De Town before going off injured.

TEAM LINE-UPS

Longford Town: Kelly, Chambers, McDonnell, O’Reilly (C), Noack-Hofmann, McGlade, Dervin (Galvin 45’), Holywood (Zambra 85’), Meenan, Verdon, Mulhall (Byrne 70’)

Subs not used: Brady, Ridge, Ryan, O’Connor.

Finn Harps: Gallagher, Coyle, Todd, Timlin, Cowan, O’Connor (O’Flynn 60’), Friel, Coll (C), McBride, Banda (Devers 72’), McCourt (Toland 66’)

Attendance: 458

MATCH REPORT: Longford Town 0-2 UCD

Sun Apr 22nd 2018

Match Report by Tony Ghee

Longford Town’s unbeaten home record came to an end last night as league leaders UCD departed the City Calling Stadium with all three points after a comfortable 2-0 victory over the hosts.

It was a very disappointing display by Longford Town that produced only one shot on target and the lifeless performance was in complete contrast to the sparkling football that the team have played the rest of the season. It was UCD that played the better football and created virtually all the chances in the contest and the visitors richly deserved the victory.

UCD should have led at half-time but a combination of brilliant goalkeeping from Mick Kelly and some poor finishing by the students resulted in a goalless first half.

In the fifth minute, UCD striker Georgie Kelly beat the Town offside trap and raced into the Longford box from the left, however, his shot from a tight angle was well saved by Town keeper Mick Kelly.

On nineteen minutes, the towering Georgie Kelly headed over an O’Neill free-kick and then on thirty-four minutes, the big UCD striker was denied again as his twenty-five yard piledriver was brilliantly saved by Town stopper Mick Kelly.

Jason McClelland should have found the Longford net on thirty-nine minutes but his shot on the turn from just twelve yards out went wide.

Three minutes before the interval, a slick UCD move carved open the Town rearguard. A quick exchange of passes between Coffey and Georgie Kelly put in Daire O’Connor clean through on goal with just Town keeper Mick Kelly to beat, but the Collingwood Cup Player Of The Season failed to hit the target as Kelly produced a magnificent save.

UCD deservedly took the lead just after the hour mark when man-of-the-match Georgie Kelly won possession and slotted home from close range after a clever one-two with O’Neill.

The Town goal survived another scare four minutes later when a Kelly shot on the turn, on the edge of the Town box, sailed narrowly over the Town bar.

Longford’s only shot on target eventually arrived in the sixty-ninth minute when striker Dean Byrne skipped by his marker only to direct his curling effort straight at UCD keeper Kearns.

UCD wrapped up victory on seventy-seven minutes with Georgie Kelly’s second goal of the contest.
A quick break by the visitors resulted in McClelland rampaging down the left, he cut inside along the end-line and cleverly played a low ball into the path of the unmarked Kelly, and he rifled a scorching nine-yard shot to the roof of the Longford net.

Substitute Paul Doyle almost made it three for the visitors on eighty-one minutes, but his rising fifteen yard strike was superbly tipped over by Town keeper Mick Kelly.

Next up for Longford is another home game next Saturday night when Finn Harps come to the City Calling Stadium with the game kicking-off at the usual 7-30pm time.

LINE-UPS

Longford Town: Kelly, O’Connor, McDonnell, O’Reilly, Noack-Hofmann, Chambers, Dervin, Zambra, Galvin, Byrne, Mulhall.
Substitutes: McGlade for O’Connor (65 minutes), Meenan for Galvin (78 minutes), Verdon for Zambra (78 minutes).

UCD: Kearns,Tobin, Kouogun, Collins, Scales, Coffey, O’Neill, Sloggett, McClelland, O’Connor, Kelly.
Substitutes: Doyle for O’Connor (78 minutes), Mahdy for Coffey (82 minutes), Hanrahan for Kelly (89 minutes).