The big kick-off: Longford Town aim to get new season off to a winning start in Bray

Wayne Groves has a hard game ahead for the Town’s opening game of the 2026 season. 

When the fixtures came out the Town’s supporters were shocked to learn that they had to travel to the Carlisle Grounds on the opening day. 

Last season the Town supporters were not too happy with the treatment they received when they visited but that is in the past and they look forward to a good season on the pitch not around the pitch. Last season the Town finished in a very creditable sixth place just three points short of fifth place which would have guaranteed them a place in the play offs. 

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The fact that the Town won their final five games during which they scored twelve goals was very encouraging. 

Aaron Doran and Stefan Ugbesia were in top form then when they both helped themselves to four goals each and the in-form Dean George also scored two during that period. 

The Town beat Athlone 2-1 away, Cobh 3-1 at home, Treaty 2-1 away, Bray 2-0 away and champions Dundalk 3-2 at Flancare Park. 

That marvellous run of results pushed them very close to the fifth place and hopefully that can be achieved in the coming season. 

There is no doubt that the Town have a very tough start to the season but clubs have to take the good with the bad. 

On Friday the Town are away in Bray while on Saturday week Cobh Ramblers come to town while on the following Friday it’s the long journey to the Kingdom of Kerry. 

The fact that all teams are strengthening their squads means that it will be much harder this season but manager Wayne Groves has re-signed many of last year’s successful squad and has added some exciting new players as the club chases a place in the top half of the table. There is no doubt that our team will fight for every point in the long 36 game season. 

On the minus side some players have left us and that will happen. With that in mind we urge supporters to get behind the team on the turnstiles and also in fundraising activities. There are many hardworking supporters and committee members who do an amazing job in keeping soccer football strong in the midlands. We urge supporters to get behind the club by purchasing season tickets and also buy lotto tickets weekly.

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Anyone who goes out to Bishopsgate can see the work being done to promote soccer football in our locality. 

On the playing pitch we have played friendlies and also have played in the Leinster Senior Cup (three games). The Leinster Senior Cup was run on a group format which wasn’t the wisest move. When it was run as a knockout competition there was a slight excitement but clubs having three games in such a competition detracts from it. 

Teams have all the hard work done at the moment on the training pitch and it’s now down to the real stuff - competitive games. 

The Premier Division kicked off last weekend and it was exciting but it will be a lot more exciting when the first four or five games are played. 

Last season the Town played Bray four times in the league and the results were a bit one sided against what you could call our bogey team. 

The first game was just a year ago at Bishopsgate and it was a really close encounter with the visitors just shading it with a one nil victory. The goal on that occasion was an OG and the unfortunate Town player on that occasion was Eric Yoro who put the ball in his own net after 14 minutes. The Town did well in their first competitive outing of the year and were very unlucky not to get a share of the points. 

The next meeting between the clubs was in the Carlisle grounds in mid April and the home side had a big win. The game ended four nil to the home side with goals from Conor Knight, Cian Curtis, Rhys Knight and Max Murphy from the penalty spot. 

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The teams played their next game at Bishopsgate and it was a very closely contested game with the visitors getting through on a two one scoreline, the Town’s goal came from Daniel Norris while Bray’s goals came from Billy O’Neill.

The final game was at the Carlisle Grounds and the Town won that game on a two nil scoreline, the Town’s goals came from Dean George and Stefan Ugbesia, both of whom came into great form at the end of the season. Hopefully they can reproduce that end of season form when they travel to the Carlisle ground on Friday. 

Last week Bray and Bohs played in the Leinster Senior Cup at the Carlisle Grounds and Bray had a comfortable 3-1 victory but both teams used under 20s players. There are rumours that Bray will be selling Billy O’Neill and Rhys Knight to Bristol City. O’Neill proved against us in July that he will do well in England. 

Over the years Bray were a bogey team for the club and let’s hope that this new look Town team will open the season with a good result. 

The Town management were busy during the off season and there will be many new faces in the squad for the 2026 season. 

When you talk about arrivals you also have to look at who has left the club. 

Keeper Harry Halwax has left the club and has joined Kerry FC. Oisin Hand has departed and taken the short journey to Athlone while Eric Yoro is joining Treaty Utd. Club captain Dean O’Shea has joined Bray and will be with the home team on Friday. Emre Topcu has left the club and has joined Iskenderunspor in his native Turkey. 

The Town have signed centre half Taylor McCarthy from Shelbourne and there is a lot expected  from this young player. Jake Hough is another central defender and he has joined the club from Bohemians. 

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Daniel McKenna is back at the club after leaving Athlone having previously played with Shels, he is a midfielder. Dean Williams is returning to the midlands after being with Drogheda, Bohs and Shels and he will be expected to get on the scoresheet. He was previously with Athlone as well. 

Big centre half Cole Omorehiomwan who previously played with Bray and Athlone is another new signing and this strong defender should slot in beside Jamie Egan who thankfully is back to full fitness. Andy Paraschiv who was on the winning Dundalk side last season has also joined the club. Andy is a midfielder who gets some goals which will be a big help to manager Groves. 

The game on Friday is a huge one for the club after the great finish to last season, winning five games on the trot is a fantastic achievement and let’s hope that run continues on Friday.

Bus to Bray

There are some seats still available for the game in the Carlisle grounds and supporters wishing to travel can contact Bryan on 087 3810042. Your support will be greatly appreciated and it gives the players an extra incentive to do well. The first home game of the season on Saturday week, February 21 against Cobh Ramblers and it’s away to Kerry the following weekend.

First Phase Fixtures

Round 1

Friday, February 13: Bray Wanderers v Longford Town, Carlisle Grounds, 7.45pm 

Round 2

Saturday, February 21: Longford Town v Cobh Ramblers, Bishopsgate, 7.30pm

Round 3

Friday, February 27: Kerry FC v Longford Town, Mounthawk Park, kick-off 7.45pm 

Round 4

Saturday, March 7: Longford v UCD, Bishopsgate, kick-off 7.30pm 

Round 5

Friday, March 13: Cork City v Longford Town, Turner’s Cross, 7.45pm 

Round 6

Saturday, March 21: Longford Town v Wexford FC, Bishopsgate, kick-off 7.30pm 

Round 7

Saturday, March 28: Longford Town v Finn Harps, Bishopsgate, kick-off 7.30pm 

Round 8

Friday, April 3: Treaty United v Longford Town, Markets Field, kick-off 7.45pm 

Round 9 

Monday, April 6 (Easter Bank Holiday): Athlone Town v Longford Town, Athlone Town Stadium, kick-off 5pm