Play-off Report: Longford Town 2 - 2 Galway United

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A second-half double from substitute Mikie Rowe ensured that Galway United will be going into the second-leg on an even keel in their promotion against Longford Town.

United pushed for a winner towards the end but will be relatively content to draw at a venue they have lost at twice this season. 

De Town will be kicking themselves for twice throwing away a lead. They had much of the possession in the game but were unable to hold on. They are still alive in an encounter which could go either way.    

Both sides elected to make a large number of changes from the 3-3 draw last weekend. The Tribesmen only retained Conor Kearns, David Hurley and Adam Thomas whilst Longford had six changes themselves. Darren Clarke, Kian Corbally, Karl Chambers, Joe Power and Ben Lynch remained from the game at Eamonn Deacy Park.   

Despite that high-scoring match last weekend, it was a cagey opening period from both sides as they sought to test each other out. Darren Clarke had the first attempt from distance which was off target. Killian Brouder tried his luck at the other end, but his shot was always rising. Luke Dennison then did well to claim a David Hurley cross after he was set up by Ed McCarthy.  

A feature of Longford’s play was Dennison rolling the ball out to play from the back to catch out Galway. It was not working due to the high line that the away side were employing. Hence the game being scrappy in nature. Stephen Walsh made his return to the side and was proving a constant nuisance to the home defenders. Joe Power attempted to spark some live into the game with an energetic run that produced a corner. They were starting to see more of the ball. 

Both Clarke and Power had been imaginative in this period and it brought out the opening goal. Clarke beat his man out wide before a pin-point cross into the area. Jordan Adeyemo producing a well-placed header past Kearns. It was almost a second not long after with both men combining again. His header hit the post with Kearns getting a touch on it.  

United were struggling to create much from open play but did almost manage to net an equaliser. Ronan Manning embarked on a determined run that saw him skip past the challenge of Karl Chambers and get a low cross into the box. It was hacked away by Michael Barker before anyone could pounce. James Finnerty was then guilty of handball to stop Adeyemo running onto a through-ball. A yellow for his efforts.   

John Caulfield elected to make a change at half-time and it proved smart within minutes. Walsh did well to get the ball out wide to Hurley who drove past his man and whipped in a cross. The substitute Mikie Rowe was there to tap home from a few yards out.   

Almost immediately Longford went back in front. The ball found its way out wide to Clarke who put in a low cross. Adeyemo collected it, swivelled, and fired past Kearns into the bottom corner. A combination proving beneficial to Longford’s fortunes. 



Again, the lead was not long to last. A cross came in from Hurley again towards the head of substitute Rob Hanley. His header was parried by Dennison, but Rowe was lurking for the follow-up once more. His bundled effort just managed to trickle over the line to draw his side level. 

The game was now in the balance and either side could have hit the front. Walsh had a pair of headers just off target from crosses out wide. Adeyemo helped his side break from a corner. He released Ben Lynch who surged down the wing before Manning was able to block him out. Chambers then put in a great ball that just evaded his team-mates. 

Cristian Magerusan almost profited from a loose back-header from Conor O’ Keeffe. He ran on to the ball before colliding with Kearns. It was given as a free out that saw Gary Cronin booked for his protests. Hurley almost won the game it approached injury time with a shot from outside the area. Dennison proving his worth to push it away.   

Honours even at the final whistle. They meet again on Sunday to escape who will go on to play either Waterford or Treaty in the final. Plenty to play for yet.          

Longford Town: Luke Dennison; Michael Barker, Ben Lynch, Adam Verdon; Darren Clarke, Kian Corbally (Mark Hanratty 63), Michael McDonnell, Dean McMenamy, Aaron Robinson (c); Jordan Adeyemo (Cristian Magerusan 81), Karl Chambers.
Subs not used: Dylan Barnett, Matthew Dunne, Shane Elworthy, Matthew O'Brien.
Booked: Kian Corbally (19).

Galway United: Conor Kearns; Killian Brouder, James Finnerty, Conor O'Keeffe, Adam Thomas (Rob Manley 58), Stephen Walsh; Max Hemmings, David Hurley, Ronan Manning (Wilson Waweru 81), Edward McCarthy (Mikie Rowe 46), Conor McCormack (c);
Subs not used: Connal Doran, Diego Portilla, Charlie Lyons, Evan O'Connor, Steven Healy, Manu Dimas.
Booked: James Finnerty (42) .

Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan.
extratime.com Player of the Match: David Hurley (Galway United)

About Philip Morrissey

Philip is a Cork City fan for his entire adult life. From bad times to good, whether this was taking on some major European sides or in the First Division. Philip went back to college … View Full Profile