Limerick FC 1 - 3 Longford Town

Longford Town recorded a much needed victory when they overcame a resilient Limerick 37 at Jackman Park this evening. A rain soaked Jackman Park made conditions difficult for both sides as goals from Jason Oladele, Stephen Brennan and Robert Douglas for the visitors was enough to ensure Longford Town left the Carey’s Road venue with all three points. In-between, Limerick pulled one back through Gary Sheahan but they ended the contest with 10 men when midfielder Dave Ryan received a red card for a reckless challenge in the second half.

Limerick 37 began the game the livelier when midfielder Dave Ryan had an early chance after two minutes but Longford Town goalkeeper Neil Gallagher was equal to the opportunity. Limerick kept the pressure on the Longford back four for the opening ten minutes which chances to note from Gary Sheehan and James Hayes but both chances were saved excellently by Gallagher.

Overall, it was a low key first twenty minutes prior to the opener but chances from Gary Murphy for Longford nearly opened the scoring but Dave Ryan superbly pushed his opportunity out for a corner after a mix up in the Limerick defence. Limerick’s best opportunity of the first twenty minutes came when defender Paul Danagher headed just over the bar when he lashed onto a Brian Cleary corner.

Longford did open the scoring after 22 minutes of play when striker Jason Oladele latched onto a superb through ball from Robert Douglas to make to 1-0 to the visitors against the run of play. Douglas’ through ball split the Limerick defence and when Paul Danagher lost his footing, the exciting Oladele had the easy job of slotting the ball into the back of Dave Ryan’s goal. Longford shocked Limerick with the opener but it was clear the opener was a huge confidence boast as Longford began to take control of the game.

Limerick’s recent excellent form was in serious doubt as Longford began to take the game to the hosts. Chances from Gary Murphy and Darren McKenna nearly doubled Aaron O’ Callaghan’s sides’ lead but it was Gary Sheahan who cancelled out Longford’s opener in the 38th minute. His low shot beat Longford keeper Neil Gallagher at the far post as he scrambled across but could only watch on as Sheahan celebrated Limerick’s equaliser. Heads dropped in the Longford camp going into half-time as Limerick began to build some momentum.

The second half began with Longford Town enjoying the majority of the possession but with only three corners in a row to show for it. Limerick were forced to sit back and soak up the pressure from Longford but Gary Sheahan nearly put Limerick ahead as the hosts hit Longford on the break in the 50th minute. Sheahan’s shot was blocked by Stephen Brennan and cleared forward from the penalty area.

Longford began to up the tempo as it was clear they were not just happy to settle with an away point. It was only a matter of time before they would take the lead.

Longford restored their one goal advantage when a Gary Murphy corner was headed home from defender Stephan Brennan who was left unmarked at the near post. It went from bad to worse when midfielder Dave Ryan received his marching orders in the 57th minute after a reckless high challenge on Stephen Gough.

Limerick nearly equalised with twenty minutes to go but Gough was the hero when he cleared Paul Danagher’s off the line to ensure Longford kept their well deserved lead intact.

Longford doubled their lead minutes later when midfielder Robert Douglas latched onto a long ball from goalkeeper Neil Gallagher. Somehow, Limerick did not reduce the deficit in the closing minutes when Tommy Barrett, Paul Walshe and John Tierney all were denied by some excellent goalkeeping from Gallagher.

Limerick can take some positives from the game as club captain Pat Purcell was introduced in the 75th minute after a serious long term injury and striker John Tierney also made an appearance as a substitute after completing his loan move from Cork City.

Limerick 37: Dave Ryan; Peter White (Brendan Daly 65), Paul Danaher (Pat Purcell 75) Tommy Barrett, Brian Cleary; Jason Hughes, Stephen Goggin, David Ryan, Paul Walsh; Garry Sheahan, James Hayes (John Tierney 52).

Longford Town: Neil Gallagher; Stephen Gough, Daire Doyle, Stephen Brennan, Daithi Garry; Gary Murphy (Shane Harte 85), Luke Hardy, Damien Rushe, Robert Douglas (Alan Lynch 73); Jason Oladele (Evan Connolly 86), Darren McKenna.

Referee: Sean Grant

Attendance: 394

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Neil Gallagher (Longford Town) - He kept Longford in the lead with some fantastic saves throughout the game.