Unsavoury scenes after final whistle as Longford Town’s push for promotion play-off place suffers serious setback

There were unsavoury scenes after the final whistle as Longford Town’s push for a promotion play-off place in the SSE Airtricity League First Division suffered a serious setback on Friday evening last when they were held to a scoreless draw by Kerry FC  at Mounthawk Park in Tralee.

SSE Airtricity League First Division - Round 30: Kerry FC 0 Longford Town 0

Following on from their hard earned victory over the league leaders, John Caulfield’s Galway United, the previous week, this was a bitterly disappointing stalemate for sixth place Longford Town who are now four points adrift of Wexford with six games to play in the chase for fifth and the play-off spot. 

It was Kerry FC’s fifth draw of the season, ending a four game losing streak.

However, and unfortunately at the final whistle tempers became frayed and in his post match media interview Kerry FC manager Billy Dennehy condemned an ‘unacceptable comment’ that allegedly had been made towards one of his players. 

He said Kerry FC were going to go through the proper channels as a club and that the referee and gardaí had been made aware.

Billy Dennehy speaking to the media post-match confirming there was an incident under investigation. pic.twitter.com/x8RfIwngug

— Sam (@KodaSamm) September 8, 2023

Stephen Henderson’s Longford almost got off to the dream start as Jordan Adeyemo hunted down a Sam Aladesanusi clearance attempt and Kerry FC ‘keeper Lee Axworthy scampered back to prevent the ball from crossing the line.

Town netminder Jack Brady then produced a decent 10th minute save to deny Leo Gaxha. The visitors spurned a glorious chance in the 14th minute. Adam Wixted pounced on a mistake by Kerry’s Sean McGrath, and played in Jordan Adeyemo who was denied by a well-timed Sam Aladesanusi tackle. The ball fell to Wixted again and his shot was saved.

The impressive Wixted fired a 32nd minute strike over Axworthy’s crossbar and at a scorching Mounthawk Park, where the teams enjoyed a 23rd minute water break, the first half finished scoreless. 

Longford carved out a couple of decent goal chances in the opening ten minutes of the second half. Both Cristian Magerusan (48 minutes) and Gary Armstrong (56 minutes) tested Axworthy and the Kerry FC custodian proved equal to the task on each occasion.

In the 66th minute Kerry FC’s Okwute released  Leo Gaxha but his left footed strike lacked power and Town ‘keeper Brady dealt with it comfortably.

Following good work by Longford Town sub Beineon O'Brien-Whitmarsh,  Cristian Magerusan blasted over the bar in the 89th minute and the tie ended scoreless much to Town’s frustration. 

KERRY FC: Lee Axworthy; Kennedy, Ethan Kos, Williams, Sam Aladesanusi, O’Connell, Sean McGrath, Ronan Teehan, Leo Gaxha, D Okwute, Ryan Kelliher.

Subs: Gleeson for Kennedy (60 mins), Brosnan for  D Okwute, Amechi for R Kelliher, Vasiu for Kos (all 73 mins), Coughlan for McGrath (78 mins)

LONGFORD TOWN: Jack Brady; Kyle O’Connor, Aaron Walsh, Dylan Hand, Gavin O’Brien, Adam Wixted, Gary Armstrong, Viktor Serdeniuk, Cristian Magerusan, Mohammed Boudiaf, Jordan Adeyemo.

Subs.: Charles Mutawe for A Walsh (27 mins), Bastien Hery for G Armstrong, Beineon O'Brien Whitmarsh for J Adeyemo, Joshua Giurgi for M Boudiaf (all 69 mins). James Doona for A Wixted (73 mins)

Referee: Oliver Moran (Dublin).