First Division wrap: Longford Town stun Wexford as UCD, Athlone and Bray take step towards securing playoff spot

Jordan Adeyemo celebrates scoring for Longford Town

Jordan Adeyemo celebrates scoring for Longford Town Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

Strugglers Longford turned in one of their best displays of the season on Saturday night as they picked apart promotion contenders Wexford 3-0 at Bishopsgate. 

Wayne Groves’ side propped up the table for much of the season but have since moved off bottom spot by virtue of their win.

They now sit on 24 points compared to Kerry’s 23. 

And they dismissed Wexford - previously nine unbeaten in all competitions - in style with Daniel Norris opening the scoring before Jordan Adeyemo grabbed a late brace off the bench.

James Keddy’s side had to play the last 15 minutes with ten-men after goalkeeper Conor Walsh was sent off by referee Eoghan O’Shea.

After Walsh was dismissed, the resulting free-kick was arrowed into the top corner by Adeyemo for the pick of the three goals. He made it three late on after a fine counter-attack from the hosts.

The defeat leaves Wexford in an awkward position again after playoff rivals Finn Harps drew 2-2 away to champions Cork City on Friday.

Darren Murphy’s side even took a 2-0 lead against the Leesiders with Patrick Ferry netting a first half brace.

But City responded and retained their unbeaten home record this season thanks to a brace from sub Seani Maguire. But Harps crucially gained a point on Wexford and are now just three behind them.



The sides are due to play each other next month at Finn Park.

Elsewhere, Bray Wanderers shrugged off Kerry 2-0 at the Carlisle Grounds to move into third place. 

Harry Groome opened the scoring for the Seagulls while Guillermo Almirall sealed the victory in the second half with a shot from distance. 

At the UCD Bowl, UCD moved onto 53 points with a routine triumph over Cobh Ramblers. 



Skipper Ronan Finn made his 500th League of Ireland appearance in the game but it was goals from Sean Brennan and Mikey McCullagh that got the Sky Blues over the line. 

Meanwhile, Athlone Town snapped a worrying run of four league defeats in a row with a late 2-1 victory over Treaty United at the Markets Field. 

Oisin O’Reily handed Tommy Barrett’s side a first half lead but the game was turned on its head just four minutes into the second period when Treaty goalkeeper Corey Chambers was sent off.

Treaty, however, looked like hanging until Athlone levelled in the 78th minute via Kyle Robinson.

And they were undone at the death with striker Dean Ebbe scoring a 95th minute winner. Athlone now sit on 48 points, four clear of sixth-placed Finn Harps with five games to play.

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