No goals at Bishopsgate as Longford Town make a point against Cork City

Longford Town . . . 0    Cork City . . . 0

The southern visitors almost snatched a last gasp victory from a Barry Coffey header in the second minute of stoppage time but the Town keeper Luke Dennison made a brilliant save to tip the ball over the bar. 

Playing their opening match in the nine team SSE Airtricity League First Division this season, it took Longford quite some time to gel together and it was the visitors who twice went close to breaking the deadlock in the first half. 

Cork striker Ruairi Keating had a close range header saved by the Town keeper Luke Dennison in the 23rd minute and moments later the same City player shot narrowly wide.

While Longford went on to dominate most of the second half, they lacked a cutting edge in attack and a Sam Verdon header was just off target in the 50th minute.

In another immediate Town attack a shot from Dean McMenamy was deflected out for a corner in a timely block by Cork defender Kieran Coates.

Aaron Robinson then went close from a volley in the 60th minute and Gary Cronin’s side continued to put the pressure on with a couple of chances falling to Ryan Graydon but he shot wide. 

Cork finished the stronger and after Cian Murphy had a goal disallowed for offside in the 85th minute, Longford had a lucky late escape with keeper Dennison coming to the rescue with a great save to keep his net intact. 

LONGFORD TOWN: Luke Dennison; Michael Barker, Mick McDonnell, Matthew Dunne, Dylan Barnett; Ryan Graydon, Dean McMenamy, Aaron Robinson, Eric Molloy; Darren Craven; Sam Verdon.

Sub:- Ben Lynch for Molloy (82 mins).

CORK CITY: David Harrington; Kieran Coates, Cian Coleman, Ally Gilchrist, Kevin O’Connor; Aaron Bolger, Barry Coffey; Cian Bargary, Matt Srbely, Cian Murphy; Ruairi Keating.

Subs:- Matt Healy for Bolger (52 mins); Darragh Crowley for Keating (70 mins); Mark O’Mahony for Srbely (84 mins).

Referee: Michael Connolly (Donegal).