- Deniese O'Flaherty
- Fri, Jun 06 2008
There was no cup upset for First Division side Longford Town as they were beaten by Premier Division side St. Patrick Athletic.
Town were underdogs for this game against a side that are lying second in the Premier Division table but Aaron Callaghan's charges can be proud of their second half performance.
Trailing from a Gary O'Neill strike just before half-time, this game changed for Longford Town in the space of 60 seconds. In the 64th minute they got back on level terms through Darren McKenna. In a good move involving Iarfhlaith Davoren and Kyle Cawley, the latter played the ball into McKenna who blasted a shot past Pat's keeper Barry Ryan, no more than their second half performance deserved. But less than one minute later Pat's restored their lead. Neil Gallagher pulled off a great save from Ryan Guy, but from the rebound Mark Quigley beat Gallagher.
Longford Town were able to welcome back goalkeeper Neil Gallagher for this game after missing last week's game through suspension. Left back Alan O'Riordan, who deputised for Gallagher, was on the bench.
The St Pat's team included two former Town players, who experienced FAI Cup joy during their time at the club. Alan Kirby, who scored the equalising goal in the dramatic win against Waterford in 2004, is playing on the wing and there's also defender Stephen Paisley. Both players won 2 FAI Cup medals with the town.
In recent years these teams have met 3 times in the FAI Cup and the Town have won two of those games. In 2001 they defeated Pats in the 3rd round after a replay, in 2003 they beat the Saints 2-0 to win the cup for the first time. Two years ago Pat's gained revenge beating the Town 4-1 in the quarter finals here at the stadium of light.
The home side enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half, but didn't make it show on the scoreboard. Damien Rushe did well to deny Gary Dempsey from taking a shot in the 12th minute while one minute later Gary O'Neill's sweetly struck volley was tipped away by Town keeper Neil Gallagher and in the 24th minute Ryan Guy's powerful shot went wide.
Longford's only first half chance came in the 14th minute but a speculative effort from Gary Murphy bounced wide.
In a two minute spell the home side had three good chances to break the deadlock. In the 32nd minute Mark Quigley came rushing in but his header got a deflection out for a corner, from which former Town player Stephen Paisley headed over.
Two minutes later Town keeper Neil Gallagher brought off an excellent save from Gary Dempsey after the former Yeovil player found himself through on goal. But the town rearguard was to be broken six minutes later when O'Neill struck for the opener. One minute from the break former Town player Alan Kirby should have doubled Pats' advantage, but he blasted over with just Town keeper Neil Gallagher to beat.
Whatever Longford Town manager Aaron Callaghan said at half-time to his team definitely worked because in the opening minutes of this half they created more chances than they did in the first 45 minutes. Five minutes after the restart Iarfhlaith Davoren had a glorious effort that was finger-tipped over by Pat's keeper Barry Ryan. One minute later Damien Rushe had a chance but he somehow messed up his shot. Minutes later Davoren had another chance that went wide.
Town got back on level terms in the 64th minute through McKenna but their joy was to last for just 60 seconds.
St. Patrick's Athletic: Barry Ryan; Damien Lynch, Jamie Harris, Stephen Paisley, Joe O'Cearuill; Alan Kirby (Bobby Ryan 75), Gary Dempsey, Joseph Ndo (Michael Keane 85), Ryan Guy; Gary O'Neill (Glen Fitzpatrick 75), Mark Quigley.
Subs not used: Brendan Clarke, John Frost, Andy Haran, Noel Haverty.
Longford Town: Neil Gallagher; Daithi Garry (Dean Barrett 85), Daire Doyle, Ronan Frawley, Ryan O'Donnell; Gary Murphy, Damien Rushe, Luke Hardy, Iarfhlaith Davoren; Alan Lynch (Kyle Cawley 62), Darren McKenna.
Subs not used: Colin Murray, Brian Kelly, Alan O'Riordan, Jimmy Hussey, Andy Bermingham.
Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin).
