League Preview: Longford Town -v- Sheriff YC

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town head into Friday’s Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup Quarter-final clash with AUL Premier A side, Sheriff YC chasing a first victory in three games, having suffered back to back defeats against Galway United and Shamrock Rovers.

 

Town booked their place in the last eight of the cup with a 2-0 victory against another non-league side when they travelled to Donegal to play Cockhill Celtic.

 

Friday’s fixture at City Calling Stadium, represents an opportunity for Longford Town to reach a first FAI Cup semi-final since 2007, where the two time champions were subsequently defeated by Cork City 1-0 in the final at the RDS.

 

 

SHERIFF YC

The AUL Premier A champions booked their place in the last eight after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory against Athlone Town. The inner city Dublin side was forced to come from behind twice to earn a replay at Clontarf Astro.



 

In the replay the two side’s could not be separated at the Athlone Town Stadium, and Sheriff keeper Lee Murphy showed his composure in the shootout to earn his side a victory - when he saved two spot kicks.

 

Sheriff head into Friday’s clash on a strong run of form that has seen the Dublin 1 side record victory’s in their first three league games - conceding just three goals while scoring fourteen.

 

The non-league side will be aiming to cause a third upset against league opposition after defeating both Athlone and UCD.



 

Referee: Neil Doyle

 

 

MATCH STATS

Longford has won the cup on two occasions, Town are appearing in the last eight for the first time since 2009.

 

In 2012 Longford Town was defeated by non-league opposition when Cherry Orchard eliminated them in the Second Round.

 

Sheriff defeated two SSE Airtricity League First Division Clubs on route to the quarter-finals of the 2015 FAI Cup, Lee Murphy saved two penalties in the previous round, while also missing a spot kick himself.

 

 

BETTING

Longford Town 8/15, Draw 11/4, Sheriff YC 11/2.

 

PREDICTION

Longford Town 2-2 Sheriff YC.

 

Longford Town

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

 

Athlone Town

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

 

 

    About Aaron Clarke

    Aaron is a Dublin based reporter who joined Extratime.ie in February of 2015 as a Women's National League reporter. Two months later he began covering League of Ireland football and most weekends he can be … View Full Profile