League Preview: Longford Town -v- St. Patrick's Athletic

• Ferdia Fallon Verbruggen
• Fri, Sep 25 2015




St Pats return to league action after victoriously lifting the EA Sports Cup, although they face relegation threatened Longford Town away from home. Kick-off is 7.30pm.

 

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town do have slight breathing space in their spot in seventh in the table at the moment, with five points separating them from eleventh place Sligo Rovers. However, this is the Greatest League in the World and there is no certainty in how the last five games of the season will play out so they are still not assured of Premier Division football next year.

 

Last time out, Longford played away at Dalymount Park and managed to take a point off an inconsistent Bohemians. Bohs had taken the lead through Paddy Kavanagh, after midfielder Keith Buckley had seen red, but recent returnee Noel Haverty scored just before half time what would be a point winning goal.

 

With Longford facing three survival rivals in their last five, those being Sligo, Drogheda and Derry, they’ll be hoping to pick up another point or at least keep St Pats to a single goal win. Their goal difference is currently -15, joint second best of the bottom seven. Bray (-17), Galway (-20), Drogheda and Limerick (both -24) are worse off at the moment. 

 

ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

Silverware has now been claimed this season and St Pats will be hoping this will be a springboard to finish highly and possibly steal a European spot via third. However, the challenge will be tough with Shamrock Rovers seven points ahead of them, although the Saints have two games in hand at this moment in time.

 

Liam Buckley was happy to lift the EA Sports Cup but says the focus is now on Longford as he felt Longford manager Tony Cousins has his team “playing good football this year” and felt Longford had “recorded a couple of really impressive results this season.” The Pats boss finished saying,” We know it’ll be a tough game, but we travel there in good form so hopefully we can get the three points.”

 

Defender Sean Hoare also spoke to stpats.com and feels that the team need to do their best from now until the end of the season.

 

“Shamrock Rovers are a few points ahead of us, and Bohs are a few points behind so we just need to go out and win our games remaining.  We’ve just got to pick up as many points as possible, and concentrate on ourselves.  If we do that, we’ll hopefully do enough for Europe. That’s got to be our target now.”

 

In terms of team news, goalkeeper Brendan Clarke misses out with a broken finger which will likely see the penalty saving Conor O’Malley keep his place between the sticks against Longford.

 

Referee: David McKeon

 

MATCH STATS

St Pats have the upper hand on Longford this season. They drew 2-2 back in April, Kevin O’Connor and Mark Salmon scoring within the first twenty minutes before Chris Forrester and Conan Byrne rescued a point for the Saints. They then won 3-0 in June, with a Forrester double and James Chambers giving Pats all the points this time.

 

Longford have only won four games at home this season. St Pats have won eight on the road.

 

Having nine games in-a-row, St Pats have now lost their last four games in-a-row in the league.

 

BETTING

Longford Town 3/1; Draw 12/5; St. Patrick’s Ath. 10/11.

 

PREDICTION

Longford 1-2 St Pats

 

Longford Town

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None

 

St. Patrick’s Ath.

Injured: Brendan Clarke

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None