Longford Town 3 - 3 Monaghan United

Longford Town and Monaghan United each picked up a point in their opening game of the League of Ireland season after playing out a 3-3 draw at Flancare Park.

The home side made a blistering start to the game and within the opening thirteen minutes found themselves 3-0 up; three goals coming in the space of just over two minutes. What could be said about this game; Longford Town threw away a three goal lead but praise must be given to Monaghan for coming back and claiming a draw.

Both sides fielded many of their close season signings with just one player from last year’s team in the starting line-up for Longford Town; full-back Stephen Gough.

After a drab opening 10 minutes, the game sprung into life when the home side opened the scoring. The scoring didn’t stop there and within the space of two minutes they added two more to make it 3-0.

It was Colm Jinks who broke the deadlock in the 11th minute. The former Athlone Town player’s snapshot from around 30 yards out that flew past Monaghan keeper Brendan Kennedy. One minute later and the home side had doubled their lead. A Gary Curran cross from the right fell to the onrushing Jason McCartney who slotted home from close range.

Barely one minute had elapsed when the Town shocked Monaghan by claiming goal number three. Derek Glynn showed great composure to knock the ball over the advancing Kennedy.

Mick Cooke’s side didn’t panic when they found themselves 3-0 in arrears and in the 23rd minute they pulled a goal back. Striker Karl Birmingham rounded Town keeper Brendan Murphy and from a tight angle finished to the far corner of the net.

Eight minutes from the break Monaghan cut Town’s lead to just one goal. Sean Brennan, brother of Bohemians Killian, with a cracking free-kick from around 20 yards out.

Six minutes after the restart and the visitors were back on level terms. Barry Clancy’s attempted cross from the left somehow eluded Town net minder Murphy. It was no more than they deserved after playing the better football in the opening half; and that’s despite conceding three goals in two minutes.

Monaghan went on the attack 10 minutes after their equaliser. Sean Brennan, who was lively throughout, broke down the right and cut into the box but Town full-back Stephen Gough timed his tackle well to put the ball out for a corner.

Minutes later the home side’s Derek Glynn should have done better with his effort. After doing well to get past the Mons defence his badly struck low drive was way off target.

Monaghan had claims for a penalty turned down by referee Declan Hanney in the 67th minute. Town defender Jim Sheridan appeared to pull Karl Birmingham down in the box but no spot-kick was awarded.

The home side started to get on top in the final quarter of the game. Eight minutes from the end a cross from the right met the head of Liam Lynch at the far post but his effort was saved by Kennedy.

In the 87th minute the home side found themselves down to 10 men. With Karl Birmingham bearing down on goals defender Brian McCarthy brought the striker down just outside the box. Referee Declan Hanney had no other option but to show him a red card. Brennan stepped up with the free-kick on the edge of the box but he blasted the ball over.

Longford Town: Brendan Murphy; Ray Kenny, Jim Sheridan, Brian McCarthy, Stephen Gough; Colm Jinks, Carmine Russo (Tom King 79), Gary Curran, Liam Lynch; Derek Glynn, Jason McCartney.
Subs not used: Darragh Concannon, Shane O’Brien, Colm Nicholson, Michael Lee.

Booked: McCartney, Sheridan.
Sent Off: Brian McCarthy (87).

Monaghan United: Brendan Kennedy; Paul Whelan, Aiden Lynch, Brian Gartland, Shane Grimes; Sean Brennan, Don Tierney, Alan Byrne, Barry Clancy; Karl Birmingham, David Freeman (Darren McKenna 84).
Subs not used: Aaron Mooney, Stephen McCrossan, Cathal O’Connor, Charlie Treacy.

Referee: Declan Hanney.

Attendance: