Longford Town 1 - 2 Shelbourne

• Deniese O'Flaherty
• Sat, Mar 05 2011


A superb strike from David Cassidy ensured that Shelbourne made a winning start to the new season when they met Longford Town at Flancare Park on Saturday night. But they were made to work hard for this win.

In the 78th minute the ball fell to Cassidy just inside the box and his powerful volley flew in past Alvin Rouse in the Town goals. Despite the lack of real goalmouth action it was an entertaining game. Both managers will be happy with the football that they played but disappointed that they didn’t create too many scoring chances.

The Town made a fantastic start to the game, opening the scoring with just five minutes gone on the clock. A corner swung in from the right from Jacques Morley was bundled home in a crowded box. Striker Don Cowan was the Town player that got the vital touch.

Minutes later Craig Walsh decided to try his luck from long-range but his powerful effort just went wide. Shels enjoyed possession but didn’t create anything that could really trouble Town keeper Alvin Rouse.

Dean Delaney was extremely lucky not to find himself having an early shower in the 19th minute after he took down Cowan on the edge of the box. Town fans shouted for a penalty but the foul was just outside the area. Delaney, though, was last man and amazingly referee Rob Rogers didn’t even award a free.

There was lots of football played in the first half but no real chances to report. Kevin Dawson’s shot from just outside the box just whizzed wide of the Longford goal in the 32nd minute. Shels found themselves back on level terms at just the perfect time; two minutes from the break. A poor clearance by Town defender Michael Lee led to new signing Conan Byrne opening his scoring account for his new side.

The visitors started the second half a lot better than they had the first and Byrne continued to cause Longford trouble. Former Town player Ian Ryan had a chance in the 52nd minute but his low drive went just wide of Rouse’s left-hand post.

Chances were few and far between for the rest of the half before Cassidy decided to add a bit of sparkle to the game with a cracking goal.

Longford Town: Alvin Rouse; Niall O'Reilly, Des Hope, Chris Deans, Michael Lee; Craig Walsh (Gary Cronin 76), Thomas Hyland, Mark Salmon, Jacques Morley (Aidan Roche 82); Lee Roche (Cathal Brady 57), Don Cowan.
Subs not used: Stephen Conlon, Paddy Collins, Piotr Szcerbowski, Jason Oladele.
Yellow cards: L Roche (33), A Roche (82)

Shelbourne: Dean Delaney; Ian Ryan (Brendan McGill 66), Andy Boyle, Stephen Paisley, Gareth Mathews; Kevin Dawson, David McGill, David Cassidy (Chris Mulhall 88), Conan Byrne, Barry Clancy; Karl Bermingham (Philly Hughes 72).
Subs not used: Paul Skinner, Ray Scully, John Sullivan, Colm James.
Yellow Cards: None.

Referee: Rob Rogers (Dublin).

Attendance: 700 (estimate)