Pre-Season Friendly Report: Cork City 2 - 0 Longford Town

Dylan O’Connell reports from Bishopstown

Goals from Cian Coleman and Daire O’Connor helped Cork City to a 2-0 win against Longford Town at Bishopstown Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In this friendly encounter, Neale Fenn was visited by his old side for the first time since his departure from the Midlands in the summer of 2019.

But, from the moment the ball was kicked, the familiarity was the talking point, as was the sharpness of City’s play. Lining out with a 4-3-3, linked by Alec Byrne, Gearoid Morrissey and Cian Coleman, the Rebel Army dominated the possession with excellent passing play.

This involved a repeated cycle of passing the ball, a movement which City looked very comfortable in doing.

Out of this, the wingers of Dylan McGlade and Daire O’Connor were used to widen the attack, with striker Reyon Dillon occupying the Longford defence to make space.

Through this, City grabbed the opener when Dillon got free to cross it in for O’Connor who headed it down for Coleman to tap it in.

Longford were restricted for much of the first half. Their main attacking threat often came through Rob Manley, who charged at the City line again and again, but the former Cabinteely forward was repeatedly left frustrated with little support.

Cork City made it 2-0 shortly before the half time break, when O’Connor met a fine ball over the top from Kyron Stabana and fired it passed Lee Steacy.

The second half saw a number of changes made on both teams, Rob Slevin, Henry Ochieng, and Mark McNulty were all brought on, with Longford bringing on Karl Chambers, James English and Jack Doherty.

City continued to dominate and force chances. Their best chance came through Dylan McGlade when the winger danced his way through to face goal, but his curling shot went inches wide.  

Cork City FC: Liam Bossin (Mark McNulty 50’), Keyron Stabana, Joe Redmond, Trialist A (Rob Slevin 50’), Ronan Hurley, Alec Byrne (Henry Ochieng 50’), Gearoid Morrissey (Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh 86’), Cian Coleman (Rory Doyle 79’), Daire O’Connor, Reyon Dillon (Corey Galvin 86’), Dylan McGlade.

Subs not used: Charlie Fleming, Darragh Crowley, Dale Holland, Jake O’Brien Oran Daly Kyle Cuddy, Adam Hunt. 

Longford Town: Lee Stacey (Luke Dennison 78’), Eric Abulu, Dean Zambra (Jack Doherty 50’), Ryan Grimes (James English 50’), Sam Verdon (Aaron McCabe 69’), Aodh Dervin (Mick McDonnell 58’), Dean Byrne (Niall Barnes 54’), Aaron McNally (Karl Chambers 50’), Joe Manley (Matthew O’Brien 58’), Joe Gorman, Rob Manley (Adam Evans 58’).

Subs not used: Uli Keller, Callum Warfield.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer.