Longford Town captain Shane Elworthy: ‘A lot of teams would just fold and accept their fate - but we didn't’

When Shane Elworthy gets the chance to look back on his and Longford Town’s season as a whole, he and his teammates will likely have a few regrets.

The Dubliner, 27, joined the club ahead of the 2018 campaign and has seen the Red and Black challenge for First Division titles, win promotion and play in the Premier Division throughout his seven seasons at Bishopsgate to date.

But the last two campaigns have been taxing as the Midlanders have found themselves languishing at the wrong end of the First Division table.

It is certainly not where former Drogheda United defender Elworthy would like to be at this stage of his career.

“It's been a very difficult year,” the Longford skipper told extratime.com in the aftermath of Friday’s 2-2 draw away to UCD.

“But the way that we finished the season having beaten Bray 1-0, Cobh 2-0 and Wexford 3-0..

“We played well against UCD and we went to Cork and really gave a good account of ourselves. We should have got something from that game.

“We've put some good results together and it's a credit to the bunch we have in terms of how mentally tough they are after being knocked down.

“They keep getting up, coming back and training every week to play a game looking for more.

“It's a credit to the lads and staff to stay motivated and finish strong.”

Longford Town have never finished bottom of the First Division since the creation of the second tier in the 1980s, and finishing there in their centenary year would have been a blow.

But an impressive end of season run which saw Wayne Groves’ side pick up 8 points from their last five games ensured they would not be consigned to that fate.

Only Treaty United (11), Cobh Ramblers (9) and Wexford (9) picked up more during that period.

Though that comes as little consolation to Elworthy.

“It's a shame isn't it that we're talking about it and like that,” he admitted. “But I think at one stage we could have been 6 or 7 points off Kerry and we were adrift at the bottom. 

“A lot of teams would just fold and accept their fate but we didn't. We know ninth place is not acceptable for this club and it needs to be better.”

While crowds have dipped at Bishopsgate this term by virtue of their form, there was still a healthy away contingent present at the UCD Bowl for the final game of the season against UCD.

And they were very nearly rewarded for their efforts travelling when Longford led 2-0 after 75 minutes following goals from Oisin Hand and Emmanuel James.

UCD, however, salvaged a point with goals from Hugh Parker and Mikey McCullagh late on.

But club captain Elworthy was delighted to see a healthy crowd in Belfield.

“It was brilliant,” he added. “The fans have had a tough year as well but they came in their numbers and supported us. 

“For them to do that in the last game of the season is a credit to them.”

But as for Elworthy, he admits he will have to consider his options before going to the well next season again having made 182 appearances in the Red and Black to date.

“I'm going to take a couple of weeks and see,” he revealed on his future at Longford Town. 

“We love to play football and we love to play in front of the crowds. I'll take a couple of weeks off and see what the next step is.”

That's a wrap for 2024

Thank you for your incredible support in UCD last night and all season

See you in 2025

Eddie Lennon pic.twitter.com/2ugoaNFU0H

— Longford Town FC (@LongfordTownFC) October 19, 2024