Longford Town face the champions Cork City at Bishopsgate

With just four games remaining in this year’s First Division a very big crowd is expected to attend this crucial clash against Cork City at Bishopsgate on Saturday night, kick-off 7.30pm.

The champions come to Longford on top of the table on 71 points with Bray currently in second place on 50 points while UCD, who were second before their 5-1 loss to Cork, are now third.

Cork City were the top team in the league since the season started and their record of 22 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses is very impressive.

Longford Town FC, UCD, Kerry and Cobh (twice) defeated Cork to date and with only four games to go they may not lose any more games. They play Longford, Athlone, Finn Harps and Kerry in their remaining fixtures.

We can expect a very tough game especially as we are short some players due to suspension. Barry Robson has put a very good side together to get his team back in the Premier Division and there is no doubt that a Cork team in any division is good for the league.

Cork manager Barry Robson has assembled a team that was too strong for the First Division but he will have to strengthen his squad for their return to the Premier Division.

Ruairi Keating scored in twelve first half minutes and Seani Maguire scored two goals in 15 minutes to put the game out of UCD’s reach in the 5-1 win. Cork also have Hans Mpongo who played with Finn Harps last season to make up a frightening striking trio.

Cork also have keeper Conor Brann who was capped by the Republic of Ireland recently. Fiacra Kelleher, Charlie Lyons and the ageless Greg Bolger are all outstanding players.

Then you can see Niall O’Keeffe, Conor Drinan and Darragh Crowley who would be good enough for any other team in the league.

When the teams played this season the first meeting was in Cork in mid March and the home side won on a 2-1 scoreline.

Seani Maguire gave Cork the lead on 64 mins but the Town got a goal back in the 79th minute when Stefan Ugbesia scored.

But the home side got the all important second goal and Charlie Lyons was the Cork hero in the 86th minute.

In mid May the teams met at Bishopsgate and two second half goals, the second in the 90+7 minute, gave Cork a flattering win.

The third meeting between the clubs was in early July in Cork and the Town came out on top in a seven goal thriller, 4-3.

Dean Williams put the Town ahead from the penalty spot on 11 minutes but Cillian Murphy equalised in the 28th minute but the Town scored again on the stroke of half-time when Pharrell Manuel was on target.

Cork went ahead with two goals in two minutes on the 70th and 72nd minutes to put the home side in the driving seat.

This Town team never gave up and they equalised in the 86th minute when Daragh Murtagh scored a fine goal and Stefan Ugbesia scored the fourth Town goal in stoppage time to complete a great comeback.

The Town will be short a few regulars for the game due to suspension for accumulated points and defender Cole Omorehiomwan still has two matches to go in his suspension.

We hope that there is a big turnout for the second last home game of the season. The final home game is on the last weekend of the season against Athlone.

The next month will tell the tale of the First Division run in and it will go down to the wire.

Last Friday night the Town travelled to Finn Park to take on a Harps team who were still bottom of the table after a great win away to Wexford FC the previous weekend.

This was a real test for the Town as they were after losing the previous two games and playing against a fast improving Harps side.

The only goal of the game came from Dean Williams and the strike could end up as the goal of the month.

Dean has scored some vital goals this season and no doubt he has a few more left for the run in.

Next Saturday’s game against Cork is one of the biggest games for many a day and we urge the Longford fans to come out in big numbers.

SSE Airtricity League First Division

Longford Town v Cork City

at Bishopsgate

Saturday 26 September

Kick-off 7.30pm