Longford Town take on the league leaders Cork City at Turner’s Cross

Wayne Groves and his Longford Town FC team make the long journey to Turner’s Cross on Friday to play runaway league leaders, kick-off 7.45pm.

Cork manager Barry Robson has put together a squad capable of winning the First Division title and will also be good enough to compete in the Premier Division next season.

There is no doubt that Robson has a great squad of players at his disposal and that the home crowds are good enough to finance a team in the Premier Division.

Last Friday night Cork travelled to Cobh and came away with a 1-0 victory with the only goal of the game coming from in-form Ruairi Keating.

It’s hard to believe that Cork, on top of the table after 22 games, are 18 points ahead of UCD and the race at this stage is who makes the top 5 and a place in the promotion play-off positions.

By virtue of the 2-1 victory over UCD at Bishopsgate on Saturday last the Town have moved back into fifth position after recent defeats against Kerry FC and Bray.

Kian Moore came back into the team after being suspended for the Kerry game following his red card dismissal against Bray.

Apart from Kian the rest of the team was that which started against Kerry with CJ Odum deputising in goal for the suspended Moore on that occasion.

The Town go into Friday’s game in Turner’s Cross in a confident mood after the hard earned win over UCD on Saturday last but it will take a tremendous performance from our young team to get something out of the game in Cork.

Longford played Cork twice this season and gave a very good account of themselves but unfortunately did not pick up any points.

The first meeting between the teams was in Turner’s Cross and the home side won 2-1.

Seani Maguire scored the opening goal for Cork in the 64th minute but the Town struck back to equalise with Stefan Ugbesia scoring the goal in the 79th minute.

Charlie Lyons got the all important winner in the 86th minute to give Cork a very hard earned three points.

The second meeting between the clubs was played at Bishopsgate in mid May and on that occasion the visitors won 2-0.

It was very even in the first half despite the Town being down a man after only 16 minutes as Sultan Adenekan was sent off.

It was end to end stuff and it remained scoreless at half-time. Conor Drinan gave the visitors the lead on 50 mins.

The Town had chances to equalise but couldn’t get the ball past Conor Brann in the Cork goal. Brann was capped for the Republic of Ireland recently. The former Salthill Devon, Athlone Town, Limerick and Galway United under age sides’ player looks a very confident keeper who is very highly spoken of in footballing circles.

The Town were pushing for an equaliser and were very unlucky not to level on a few occasions.

Cork scored their second goal in 90 + 7 mins when the Town were awarded a corner and keeper Kian Moore went forward for the corner. The ball was cleared and Darragh Crowley scored the all important goal to guarantee all three points.

Cork’s 1-0 victory over Cobh was their 9th consecutive league win which is a great record in any league.

It will take a massive display from the Town to get anything out of Turner’s Cross but this new look team are a very competitive outfit who will fight for the full 90 minutes in every game.

Saying that the first half performance on Saturday against UCD wasn’t up to our usual standards. The Town lost team captain Jamie Egan on the stroke of half-time and he was replaced by Cole Omorehiomwan who had a superb display for the second half.

Whatever happened in the dressing room at half-time, we witnessed a much different Town side in the second half.

Excellent goals from Dean Williams and Daragh Murtagh earned the Town three vital points and a move up to fifth place in the table.

Cork have only lost twice this season, the first against Cobh and the other defeat was away to Kerry with the goal coming from Niall Brookwell. Cobh did very well against their neighbours Cork in the other two games.

The first meeting in Cobh ended 1-1. Seani Maguire scored the opener on 11 minutes and Gourdie equalised for Cobh from the penalty spot. The second meeting in Turners Cross was a 1-0 victory for Cobh.

Former Town player Dylan McGlade scored the winner on 76 minutes from the penalty spot.

With less than half of the games left in this year’s league campaign, Cork are flying back to the Premier Division but Cobh and Kerry showed that the table toppers are beatable.

The Town scored two great goals on Saturday last and it was great to see Dean Williams on target was his third goal in his last three home games. He has rediscovered his shooting prowess.

The Town have still quite a few regulars out injured and the good news is that Aaron Doran is back training and hopefully he will soon be back in action.

Longford had a new reserve keeper on the bench on Saturday night last. Liam Woodcock, who played with Skerries Town, has signed for the club. We expect that manager Groves may make some signings this month.

Last season we had some new players come into the squad and we could do with an extra striker as we try to keep our place in the top 5 and ensure a play-off spot at the end of the season.

FAI Cup game at home to Baldoyle United

The FAI Cup game against Baldoyle United, which was a home game for the Dublin club, has been moved to Bishopsgate on Saturday July 18.

This game could be a tough one for the Town as the standards in the Leinster Senior League have improved over the years and we will not want to take anything for granted.

Club Orange FAI Cup Round 2

Longford Town v Baldoyle United

At Bishopsgate on

Saturday 18th July

Kick-off 5pm