First win for resilient Longford Town as Kerry FC miss a last gasp penalty

Longford Town . . . 3   Kerry FC . . . 2 

Showing fierce resilience when under pressure to remain in contention after going behind just before the break, gutsy Longford Town were rewarded for their perseverance in collecting all three vital league points in a dramatic First Division clash at Bishopsgate on Saturday night last.

Ten-man Kerry FC missed a last gasp penalty as resilient Town stuck it out for their first win of the season and it was no more than they deserved in a timely boost for the trip to Oriel Park to take on the title favourites and league leaders Dundalk who are captained by former player, Longford native Aodh Dervin.

Second half goals from Josh Giurgi and substitute Aaron Walsh, the latter getting the vital touch from a corner taken by Aaron Doran in the 77th minute, changed the course of the game against Kerry FC.

The visitors had looked in control when they came from behind to lead 2-1 at the break with Niall Brookwell credited with the equaliser in the 28th minute following a Ronan Teahan free-kick.

And Teahan was the creator for the second goal in the 42nd minute as his left wing cross was directed into the back of the net by a header from 17-year-old Luke Palmer.

But that was as good as it got for Kerry FC with Town captain Dean O’Shea setting up the equaliser for Josh Giurgi who hit the target again in the 52nd minute.

The same players were involved in the brilliant move that yielded the opening goal in the 19th minute with Giurgi making firm contact with the perfect pass from O’Shea who delivered a pin-point left wing cross as the deadlock was broken.

Kerry FC came storming back to score a couple of goals and almost struck again in first half stoppage time when a shot from Okwuy Okwute drifted wide with the Town keeper Harry Halwax stranded.Kerry pressed the self-destruct button when Abel Alabi received a straight red card following a brawl in the 81st minute but there was still a chance for the visitors to get something from the game when Halwax conceded a penalty for a foul on Palmer in stoppage time.

Much to the delight of the home supporters, Kerry substitute Cian Brosnan blasted the ball over the bar as Longford celebrated a badly needed win that moved them off the bottom of the table.

Some of the decisions made by the referee Aaron O’Dowd infuriated the vociferous Town fans, none more so than his opinion to ignore a penalty claim by Josh Giurgi who appeared to be brought down in the box with a couple of minutes gone in the second half.

The match official deemed that Guirgi took a dive and was subsequently shown a yellow card but it all worked out well in the end for the hard working home side, aided by a bit of luck for a change.

LONGFORD TOWN: Harry Halwax; Osaze Irhue, Oisin Hand, Andrew Spain, Dean O’Shea; Emre Topcu, Aaron Doran; Josh Giurgi, Pharrell Manuel, Dean George; Daragh Murtagh.

Subs:- Francis Campbell for Spain (injured); Aaron Walsh for Manuel and Eric Yoro for George (all in the 72nd minute); Stefan Ugbesia for Murtagh (87 mins). 

KERRY FC: Tim-Oliver Hiemer; Alex Dunne, Abel Alabi, Christopher McQueen, Sean O’Connell; Okwuy Okwute, Luke Palmer, Sean McGrath, Ronan Teahan, Niall Brookwell; Joseph Adams. 

Subs:- Oran Crowe for McGrath (76 mins); Finn Barrett for Dunne and Cian Brosnan for J Adams (both in the 84th minute). 

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd.