Salthill Devon -v- Longford United

• Deniese O'Flaherty
• Sat, Oct 30 2010


And so Salthill Devon’s maiden season in the League of Ireland comes to an end on Saturday night when they welcome Longford Town to Drom (kick-off 7.45).

After Mervue United’s defeat of Monaghan United last weekend Salthill will now face into a two-legged play-off with A Championship side Cobh Ramblers for the right to play in the First Division next season.

Looking back on the season Salthill will be heartened by their run in the latter part of the year. Their best result of the season and possibly the shock result in the league was their 2-1 win over Cork City Foras Co-op last weekend. They will be hoping to build on that and finish their season on a high against Longford Town.

The last time these two sides met Salthill came away from Flancare Park with a credible 2-2 draw; thanks to some woeful defending from the home side. That has been a problem with the Town all season; conceding silly goals.

Time and time again Town manager Tony Cousins has spoken about his frustration with his side gifting other teams goals; he had tried to eradicate it but to no avail. The midlands side haven’t kept a clean-sheet since the middle of August; coincidently the last time they actually won a game.

Another problem for the midlands side is also their inability to put away the chances they created and it’s no surprise that they are struggling near the bottom of the table and not around the middle where Cousins had hoped they’d finish.

With rivals Athlone Town just one point behind them Longford Town will hope to end the season with a win and finish ahead of Athlone, for yet another year. The battle for 9th place is what Longford Town’s season has come down to.

Salthill Devon
Injured: N/A
Doubts: N/A
Suspended: None

Longford Town
Injured: None
Doubts: Niall O’Reilly (knee)
Suspended: None

Referee: Conor Fitzgerald (Dublin)
extratime.ie prediction: Draw