Longford Town take on Kerry FC in crunch clash at Bishopsgate

Longford Town FC face a very tough match on Saturday night when they play Kerry FC at Bishopsgate, kick off 7.30pm.

A few years ago when Kerry joined the league they were very inexperienced in senior football but a lot has changed and now they can be called serious contenders in the First Division.

Kerry made a significant move in May 2025 when they enlisted the services of Colin Healy who came in with lots of league knowledge having been with Cork City from 2020 to 2023.

We all know how hard it is to compete in the League of Ireland especially if you are at the wrong end of the table.

There is no doubt that Healy will make this year’s squad into a fine bunch of players who have lots of ability and now they got experience at the highest level in their dugout and that goes out to the players on the pitch.

This season the Town and Kerry have met on three occasions with Kerry being at home twice and the Town at home once.

The teams met at the end of February in Kerry and on that occasion the game ended in a 1-1 draw. The lively Sean McGrath gave Kerry the lead in the 52nd minute but the Town bounced back 14 minutes later when Alex O’Brien scored the equaliser.

The teams clashed again at the end of April and that was in Bishopsgate with the Town winning the match 1-0.

Midfielder Aaron Doran was the Town hero on this occasion when he scored the only goal of the game.

The teams met for the third time at the end of June in Kerry and on that occasion the home side won the game.

At this stage of the season with twenty nine games played (seven games left) there are two points between the Town in 4th position and Kerry who are in sixth. Cobh Ramblers who drew 2-2 with the Town on Friday last are in fifth place.

The upcoming home games against Kerry this Saturday and Treaty United on Saturday week are basically must win games such is the closeness of the positions from fourth and Athlone Town in 7th position on 37 points.

The experienced Matt Connor is keeping former Town player Harry Halwax out of the goalkeeping position.

The fact that both teams have a similar goals amount of plus three at the moment shows there is nothing between the teams.

Such is the closeness in the table at the moment is the fact that Bray, who were joint second with UCD a few weeks ago, are now in third and four points behind the college team after losing to the Town two weeks ago and to Athlone Town last week. Kerry have lots of experience in their team now with Niall Brookwell, Jonas Hakkinen, Sean O’Connell, Vincent Borden, Cian Bargary, Cian Murphy and Sean McGrath all quality players.

Last Friday the Town faced one of their toughest games of the season when travelling to Cobh to play the local Ramblers team who are also in a play-off position at the moment.

The Town had an excellent start going 2-0 up with fine goals from in form striker Dean Williams and the equally impressive Aaron Doran who has scored three goals since returning after injury two weeks ago.

The loss of Osaze Irhue with a very serious injury which could keep him out for a year is an awful blow for the Town.

Team captain Jamie Egan is also out for a long period but Dean George hopefully will be back soon for the run in.

The recent signing of James Bailey, Matthew Harris, Mark Canavan and Ronan Dawson has given Wayne Groves new blood to push this very young team over the line as we chase a play-off spot.

The recent injury sustained by Daragh Murtagh is a big blow for manager Groves but hopefully Daragh will soon be back in contention for a place in the starting eleven.

The next two home games against Kerry and Treaty are massive games for the club and we need full points in those games as home wins are essential in the run-in.

Support

With seven games left in this year’s league campaign and us in fourth position we need support both home and away.

The last home victory over Bray was a very special one and it pushed us back up to fourth and we need to confirm our position in fourth or possibly push up to third. The next two home games could have a major bearing on our final position in the table at the end of the season.

We are asking for supporters who are regular and ones who have lapsed recently to come out and push us over the line as we chase a place in the play-offs.

Over the years our supporters were our 12th man and the last home game against Bray shows that we have a great support out there.

SSE Airtricity League First Division

Longford Town v Kerry FC

At Bishopsgate

Saturday 5th September

Kick-off 7.30pm