League Preview: Longford Town -v- Shamrock Rovers

LONGFORD TOWN

Friday’s fixture with Shamrock Rovers will be the last in the Premier Division for at least a season for relegated Longford Town (kick off 7.45pm).

The last time a Shamrock Rovers side came to City Calling Stadium for Longford’s last home game of the season was in 2014. Victory that night over a Rovers B side in the First Division saw the Town promoted to the Premier Division for the first time in seven seasons.

However Longford’s lack of a win last week in Galway confirmed the inevitable that the Town have lost their top flight status after just two years. Remarkably they come into the final game of the season still seeking their first home league win of the campaign.

Speaking to ltfc.ie, Town boss Alan Mathews stated that relegation does at least offer some opportunities for the club which he believes have good structures in place to gain promotion again in the future.

“Off the pitch and compared to many in the country this football club is in a very good place,” said Mathews. “However we simply haven't been good enough on the pitch over the 33 games and will not be playing teams like Shamrock Rovers in 2017, which is very disappointing.

“The indignity of relegation offers us the chance to build for the future and no doubt players will come and go from the club during the off season. One thing that we must ensure is that we recruit players with the right attitude, character and hunger to bring this club back in to the Premier Division. 

“Under the leadership of Chairman Jim Hanley and a very hard working and committed Board of Management, this club have the facilities and structures in place to succeed. It's up to us now to match that on the pitch.”

With only pride at stake for both clubs, many fans may not answer the call to head to City Calling Stadium for the final outing of the season for both sides. Longford have lost twice to Rovers in the league already this season – a 2-0 defeat at home in May and a 2-1 loss in Tallaght in early August.

Mathews has no suspensions to deal with but will not have Noel Haverty available for the match. Pat Flynn, who injured himself in the warm up ahead of last week’s 0-0 draw in Galway, and Don Cowan have resumed training. The two players are hoping to face their former club one more time.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

A fairly forgettable season for Shamrock Rovers comes to a conclusion on Friday evening with a trip to Longford. The Hoops have at least qualified for Europe next season but only due to largesse of the cup finalists. With champions Dundalk playing runners up Cork City in the Aviva showdown on Sunday week, it means fourth placed Rovers are guaranteed European qualification.

Rovers required at least a point last week at home to Bray – which they earned following a 0-0 draw – but qualification had already been secured by the full time whistle in Tallaght as both St. Pat’s and Sligo Rovers had lost.

In the programme notes for Rovers’ last home match of the season, Stephen Bradley noted that that game marked his “final home involvement with the first team squad before I resume my Academy role.”

Bradley used the opportunity to comment on his involvement with the squad after Pat Fenlon’s departure including noting that “upon consulting with the other coaches it was clear to us at the time that there were a number of senior players without the required attitude to continue at the football club.”

He not only continued to promote youth into the first team, which was something Pat Fenlon had done earlier in the season, but accelerated the process. This continued when Sami Ristila joined the management team after Bradley’s allowed 60 day caretaker-manager role ended.

Bradley confirmed that he has applied for the next Pro Licence course which, if successfully completed, would allow him to take up a permanent role as first team manager. He alluded to the fact that this was still a possibility with the Hoops when he spoke to extratime.ie after last week’s game.

“I'm going to be here at Shamrock Rovers and that's the main thing,” said Bradley. “Whether that's involved with the first team or the academy. I'll be here, which is what I want.

“We've spoken about all different sorts of scenarios. There's a lot of applicants for the job, and a lot of them really good, so we'll sit down now.

“We needed to get Europe out of the way, and now we'll sit down at the club and decide where we go.”

Rovers have a full squad to pick from and have no suspensions with David Webster and Gary Shaw returning to the Rovers squad as the Hoops look for their first win in four league games.

Referee: Andrew Mullally.

MATCH STATS

Gary McCabe looks likely to top the goalscoring charts in the league for the Hoops. His nine goals is two clear of Brandon Miele and three of former Longford Town player Gary Shaw. David O’Sullivan is the top league scorer for the Town with seven strikes.

The Hoops have an unbeaten streak of eight league games against the Town. Their last loss to Longford was a 1-0 defeat at Tolka Park in 2007.

This is the third time that Longford Town have been relegated from the Premier Division. They previously dropped down to the First Division in 1985 and 2007.

BETTING

Longford 9/2; Draw 10/3; Shamrock Rovers 1/2.

PREDICTION

Longford Town 1 – 2 Shamrock Rovers

Longford Town

Injured: Noel Haverty.

Doubtful: Pat Flynn, Don Cowan.

Suspended: None.

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Luke Byrne.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Additional reporting: Dave Donnelly.