Longford Town chasing another win against Kerry FC at Bishopsgate

After taking a point from the away game against Finn Harps on Friday night last, Longford Town meet Kerry FC at Bishopsgate this Saturday night, kick-off 7.30pm.

Going into Saturday night’s game the Town are on 22 points while the visitors are one point behind.  both after 22 games played. 

Looking at the form from both clubs over the last five games the Town have picked up eight points from two wins and two draws with the loss to UCD two weeks ago being their only setback.

During the same period Kerry picked up four points from a win and a draw. The win against Bray was a surprising one and they also got a point from an away draw in Athlone. 

Since those two games they have gone three games without picking up a point. Last weekend they lost 4-0 at home to Dundalk but that was a flattering result for the table toppers who scored two goals in injury time.

They also lost to Wexford against a ten man team who won 4-3 who were behind for most of the game but they didn’t give in and won a remarkable match.

 In their other game they lost to Cobh on a 1-0  scoreline. Make no mistake about it, new manager Colin Healy will not be too happy with recent results and he should be livid with recent performances and results. 

Now that the July window for signings is open one can expect many clubs will be trying to strengthen their squads and Kerry have started to bring in players to give them a chance to move up the table. 

Manager Healy’s first summer signing is his son Arran who joined the club from Cork City and he made his Kerry debut on Friday last when he came on as a second half substitute for Carl Mujaguzi. 

There was other team news from Kerry before Friday’s game when top player Daniel Okwute wasn’t in the match day squad as he arrived late and his place in the starting eleven was taken by Kennedy Amechi but one expects Okwute to be in the starting eleven on Saturday night. 

There are rumours that Kerry have got major investment in the club and they are expected to strengthen their squad. 

Saturday’s game is a match that the Town management will be looking to extend their recent good run of form and hopefully pick up another three points. 

There have been two meetings between the clubs to date and its honours even for the 8th and 9th placed clubs. In mid March the clubs met at Bishopsgate and the Town ran out 3-2 winners. 

The Longford hero on the night was Josh Giurgi who scored twice and the Town’s third goal came from central defender Aaron Walsh. The Kerry scorers were Luke Palmer and Niall Brookwell. Kerry ended the game with ten men as they had Alabi sent off in the 81st minute. 

Kerry got revenge for that defeat at the end of May when they won 2-0. Luke Palmer gave Kerry the lead on 44 mins and they increased their advantage on 53 mins from the penalty spot when captain Sean McGrath beat Harry Halwax. 

The Town were reduced to ten men in the 52nd minute when midfield powerhouse Eric Yoro saw red and the loss of him had a big bearing on the final result. 

Kerry are a very hard team to beat and the arrival of new manager Healy will give them lots of experience on the sideline. 

There is no doubt that the loss of star striker Ryan Kelliher is a huge blow for Kerry but 18 year old Luke Palmer is doing well for them and with another season under his belt this lad could be one of the successes of the First Division.

 Like the Town the Kerry squad have many young and inexperienced players but they are improving with every game and they will be a tough nut to crack on Saturday night next. 

The Town acquitted themselves well in Donegal and could have come home with all three points. Oisin Hand and Andrew Spain started in Finn Park as did Daragh Murtagh and the team did well to get the point but it could have been better.

Reports say that the Town could have and should have picked up the three points but they also say that Harps could have snatched the win.

 After Saturday’s game at home the Town are on  the road again but it’s in the FAI Cup when Wayne Groves and his squad travel to County Mayo to take on Castlebar Celtic who are being managed by former Town player Stevie Gavin.

By all accounts this Castlebar team are a crack side with 42 points from 14 games played and only recently won 9-1 in a league match. We have been warned!

SSE Airtricity League First Division

Longford Town v Kerry FC

at Bishopsgate on Saturday July 12 

Kick off 7.30pm

Support

A big thank you to our loyal supporters who travelled to Finn Park on Friday last and were heard loud and clear in the Donegal hills. There is a bus travelling to the FAI Cup game in Castlebar on Sunday week and by all accounts it’s almost full at this stage. The bus will leave the N4 Axis Centre at 12.15pm. It’s €20 on the bus and seats can be booked by contacting Bryan Mullooly.