League Report: Longford Town 2 - 4 Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers came from behind to record their first win in five games against relegated Longford Town who finished the season without recording a win at home.

Both sides made fine starts to the game with Don Cowan creating a chance for the home side inside the first minute and Gary Shaw bringing a fine save out of his former team-mate Paul Skinner one minute later.

In the ninth minute the home side took the lead when Kealan Dillon’s cross met the diving head of Mark Hughes. Cowan had a chance shortly after to double the lead but shot straight at Barry Murphy.

The game then petered out as a contest and was played at the pace a meaningless game would be, with neither side testing the opposition 'keeper.

Town were reduced to 10 men in the 37^th minute when Conor Powell handled on the line and Rovers were awarded a penalty; Gary McCabe dispatched the spot-kick to level matters with this tenth goal of the season.

Rovers took the lead four minutes into the second half when assistant referee Robert Clarke adjudged Aaron Dobbs’ header had crossed the line after Town tried to clear the danger. 

Two minutes later and the visitors got a third goal when Brandon Miele beat Skinner with a stunning strike from 35 yards.

The Town pulled a goal back in the 57^th minute when Kaleem Simon’s free-kick was toe poked home by David O’Sullivan.

Miele restored Rovers’ two goal advantage in the 64^th minute when he got his second goal and his side’s fourth with a well struck free-kick from 40 yards out.

The biggest cheer of the night was left for Town defender Pat Flynn who was substituted in the 76^th minute. Flynn who retired after the game received a standing ovation from both sets of supporters.

Longford Town: Paul Skinner; Pat Flynn (Jamie Mulhall 76), Rhys Gorman, Yann Mvita, Conor Powell; Kealan Dillon (Tristan Noack Hofmann, 55), Mark Hughes (Gaius Makouta 62), Philip Gannon, Kaleem Simon; David O’Sullivan, Don Cowan. 

Subs not used: Ryan Coulter, Eddie Dsane, Karl Chambers, Cian Fay. 

Sent off: Conor Powell (37).

Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Simon Madden, David Webster, Robert Cornwall (Dean Clarke 23), Sean Heaney; Gary McCabe, Aaron Bolger, Brandon Miele, Trevor Clarke; Gary Shaw (Shane Hanney 61), Sean Boyd (Aaron Dobbs ht). 

Subs not used: James Doona, David O’Connor

Booked: Sean Heaney (41)

Referee: Andrew Mullally

Attendance: 465 

Extratime.ie man of the match: Brandon Miele (Shamrock Rovers)