League Preview: Kerry -v- Longford Town

KERRY

Basement battlers Kerry welcome Longford Town to Mounthawk Park on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Kingdom have won just once this season but have come close to beating Longford in their last two games.

But with Stephen Henderson’s men improving since the mid-season break they face a far stiffer test against the Red and Black this time around.

“They’ll be coming down here looking to force their way into those play-off positions again,” Kerry boss Billy Dennehy told the Kerryman.

“From our point of view it’s about looking at players and getting as much experience and minutes into their legs that they possibly wouldn’t have had. #

“Hopefully that will benefit them going forward into next season as well with the players we’re looking to bring through for next year.”

Cian Barrett misses out through suspension.

LONGFORD TOWN

Play-off chasing Longford Town visit the Kingdom without central defender Lewis Temple.

The Shelbourne loanee is on international duty with Ireland’s under-19 squad and featured in yesterday’s draw against Bosnia & Herzegovina.

But Longford Town come into Friday’s game off the back of a stunning 1-0 win over runaway league leaders Galway United last weekend.

Cristian Magerusan’s first-half strike was the difference between the two teams.

And that means De Town are the only side to have beaten Galway this season – and they have won against them twice.

But they are still outside the play-off positions and are hunting down Wexford in the final play-off spot.

Longford have no suspension issues to contend with ahead of tonight’s game.

Referee: Oliver Moran.

PREDICTION

Kerry 0-2 Longford Town

Kerry

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: Cian Barrett.

Longford Town

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Unavailable: Lewis Temple (international duty).

Suspended: None.