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Match Report by Tony Ghee Sligo Rovers 2 (Figueira 17, Gibson ’58) Longford Town 0 Sligo Rovers defeated Longford Town by two goals to nil in their SSE Airtricity League Premier Division clash at the Showgrounds this evening with goals from Walter Figueira and a second-half penalty from Jordan Gibson earning the home side all
Match Preview: Sligo Rovers v Longford Town We head to the Showgrounds this Friday evening to take on Sligo Rovers in another highly anticipated clash with our nearest neighbours in the Premier Division. Last time out, Rovers ran out 1-0 winners at Bishopsgate thanks to a Garry Buckley header at the beginning of the second half. De
The weather in the north west wasn’t too good but beating Sligo Rovers in the FAI Cup yet again, certainly made up for the dismal Sligo wind and rain. We travelled up the N4 in great numbers more in hope than expectation. We managed to beat them last season, surely, this time they’d be out for sweet revenge on their home sod.
If our hosts thought they were in for a handy win, they hadn’t reckoned on a skilled, spirited performance from De Town. It was a real tough cup tie with Jamie Hollywood’s second half strike being enough for a sweet Town victory. In a game where all the players stood tall and proud, it was a hard task trying to pick any single player of the game. Mick Kelly brought off some excellent saves, Aodh Dervin ran himself ragged and Dylan McGlade tortured the opposition all night but it was a superb team performance. We had a bit of luck too but at the final whistle, many home fans were quick to acknowledge that we deserved to be in the pot for the next round. Indeed many home fans were loud in their disappointment at their own performance. They may have a much larger budget than us but money doesn’t always buy success. Once again, the travelling support was excellent even without the aid of a drum . Pity poor Kieran Burke who was about 36,000 ft in the clouds jetting homewards but we were happy to be on cloud 9. The romance of the Cup…there’s nothing quite like it.
Jamie Hollywood celebrates Town’s winner against the Bit O’Red (Picture by The Bit O’ Red Photography on Facebook)
The FAI Cup win was the perfect birthday gift for one of the Town’s hardest working and most loyal supporters, Liam Healion. Due to a secrecy clause, we’re not allowed to reveal his age but a smiling Mags said he was like a 30 year old later on. Birthday wishes also to supporter Ben Hussey who celebrated his birthday, earlier in the week, with an official announcement on RTE radio.
It was great to see Mel Devlin back in the City Calling Stadium recently following a spell in hospital. Everyone was delighted the jovial Mel back and looking forward to seeing that smile again at our next home game.
We’re away to Galway United in a massive game this Friday, August 17th at 7.45pm. All of our remaining games are like cup finals; victory is vital, simple as that. If we can reproduce the display against Sligo, we should be fine. Anything less is no good. Once again, it looks like we’ll have a decent crowd making the journey west. Hopefully we’ll be smiling on the road home.
Longford Town FC dumped Sligo Rovers out of the FAI Cup in the first round for the second successive year on Friday night as Jamie Hollywoods 65th minute goal was enough to seal the victory for the Red and Black at the Showgrounds.
On a wet and windy night, De Town got some bad news before the whistle was even blown, Shane Elworthy picking up a knock and having to be replaced in the starting eleven by Tristan Noack-Hofmann.
Longford had the opening chance of the game straight from tip-off. Gaining posession, Aodh Dervin (who had a terrific game in midfield) found Dylan McGlade who turned his man and shot from inside, forcing the early save from Beeney in the Sligo goal.
Sligo could have opened the scoring only moments later when David Cawley found himself free in the box but his speculative shot from the right side took a deflection and bounced narrowly wide of the Longford goal.
Town keeper Michael Kelly was yellow carded in the 12th minute after mistakenly picking the ball up outside his own box. The resulting free came to nothing in the end but he will want to forget about that one!
Neale Fenn was forced to make another unplanned early change when Sam Verdon had to go off with what looked like a nasty ankle injury. The challenge on Verdon warranted a yellow card to be produced and the recently returned Peter Hopkins came on in place. Verdon had been performing well up to that point, winning the ball in the air to lay if off to McGlade and Meenan on the wings. Longford will hope that the injury isn’t as serious as it looked as Verdon has played a key role in the hunt for promotion this season.
Rovers had a glorious opportunity to go 1-0 up on 32 minutes. A corner from McCabe was met in the air by Callan-McFadden but his header hit the cross bar and was cleared away from danger. A real let off for Longford but they can thank Michael Kelly who seemed to have gotten the slightest of touches to tip it on to the cross bar. One of many saves he would have to make throughout the night.
While Sligo pushed forward, Longford didn’t give them too much time on the ball and applied pressure. Peter Hopkins went close on 40 minutes when the ball broke on the halfway line to send him clear but he never fully connected with the ball and his shot drifted wide of Beeney’s post.
Karl Chambers in action during last years FAI Cup win over Sligo Rovers at the City Calling Stadium.
Longford had a shout for a penalty on 43 minutes, Jamie Hollywood on the end of a challenge just on the edge of the box. Town fans called for a peno but on inspection of the replay, it was evidently a yard or so outside the area. The resulting free from Daniel O’Reilly was straight into the hands of Beeney.
Going in 0-0 at half time, many Longford supporters were optimistic that the team could pull off another win, following on from last seasons cup win over Sligo at the City Calling Stadium.
Sligo started the second half with a purpose and could have taken the lead only a few minutes in when Mikey Drennan got free down the left hand side before turning in past Karl Chambers but his low flying shot rattled the bottom of the far post and bounced straight back into Kellys hands.
Dylan McGlade, who many were calling man of the match after another skillful display, had the opportunity to put Longford in the driving seat on 62 minutes. His long range effort stinging the hands of Beeney in goal who put it out for a corner.
Town supporters didn’t have to wait long for a goal to come though. Only 3 minutes later, McGlade once again produced a moment of magic when he rounded the Sligo defender on the touch line before playing it back to Jamie Hollywood who cooly slotted it into the far corner. Beeney should have done better but full credit to Longford, they kept up the pressure and it paid off.
From then on, Rovers began to mount attack after attack. Michael Kelly, who could have gotten a look in for man of the match also, was forced to save on a number of occasions for Longford and kept the side in it. Up the other end, McGlade went close again, shooting from the right side, his curled shot was palmed away by Beeney for a corner.
While Sligo tried and tried, Longford’s defence held firm. The Bit O’Red couldn’t break down the back 4 and it became evident when they resorted to long balls straight up the top in the last 10 minutes. Mikey Drennan had one last chance for Sligo after he raced through on goal but Michael Kelly was there again, this time denying him with a brilliant save using his foot.
Overall, a great night for Neale Fenn and Co, who will need all the positivity and momentum they can get going into Friday night’s game away against Galway United in the run in for a promotion playoff spot.
Sligo Rovers: Beeney, Twardek, Callan-McFadden, Mahon, McClean, Donelon, Cawley, McCabe (c), Lynch, Cretaro, Drennan
Subs: McGinty, Sharkey, Keaney (replaced Mahon), Wixted, McAleer (replaced Cretaro), Kerrigan, Morrison.
Longford Town: Kelly, Noack-Hofmann, O’Reilly, McDonnell, Chambers, Meenan, Zambra (c), Hollywood, Dervin, McGlade, Verdon.
Subs: Kelly, Hopkins (replaced Verdon), Ryan, O’Neill, O’Connor, Dillon, Temolo.