Resilient Longford Town take Athlone down to register fifth consecutive win

In a remarkable run of results that all started in the surprise win at home to the eventual First Division champions Dundalk, resilient Longford Town took Athlone down in the final game of the season on Friday night with Aaron Doran and Stefan Ugbesia scoring the crucial goals in the early stages of the second half. 

Athlone Town . . . 1    Longford Town . . . 2

It was the fifth consecutive win for a team that have become a relentless outfit under the driving force of their manager Wayne Groves and they ended up just three points short of the remaining promotion play-off position that was all sorted out the previous week. 

While there was nothing at stake in the midlands derby at Athlone Town Stadium, it was a sweet victory in the battle of pride for revitalised Longford who were determined to end the 2025 league campaign on a high. 

Things did not look good when they conceded an early goal with Colm Doyle on target in the 8th minute for the home side. And the scoreline was still the same at the break before the Town eventually equalised with a couple of minutes gone in the second half.

Aaron Doran, such an influential figure in the midfield sector throughout the season, finished the ball to the net as a lot of pressure was finally rewarded.

The visitors then took the lead in the 54th minute with prolific striker Stefan Ugbesia on target after connecting with the perfect pass from Dean George and the latter was unlucky not to score a third goal after his header hit the crossbar in the 68th minute.

George had another attempt to find the net when his shot was blocked off the line in the 81st minute but the Town consolidated their slender lead, much to the sheer delight of the large contingent of away supporters among the attendance. 

Longford finished in an encouraging sixth position in the First Division and it is now down to Wayne Groves to keep this competent squad together and that the best players will still be here next season in a serious push for promotion!  

ATHLONE TOWN: Trainor, Hand, Adewale, Connolly, Feeney, Quinn, Lawless, Tetteh, Doyle, Webb, Lennon.

Subs:- Smith for Lennon (half-time); Oyenuga for Feeney (66 mins); Sheerin for Doyle (81 mins). 

LONGFORD TOWN: Kian Moore; Emre Topcu, Eric Yoro, Oisin Hand, Ozaze Irhue; Pharrell Manuel, Aaron Doran, Alex O’Brien, Sean Moore, Dean George; Stefan Ugbesia.

Subs:- Daragh Murtagh for S Moore (injured, 16 mins); Jamie Egan for Topcu (69 mins); Daniel Norris for Ugbesia and Emmanuel James Oluwafemi for George (both in the 88th minute).