Drogheda United 0
Longford Town 3
LONGFORD TOWN SECURED their Premier Division status for another year and sent hopeless Drogheda United one step closer to the First Division with a comprehensive win at United Park.
On the season’s penultimate night, Mark Kinsella’s side could not have got off to a worse start. This will have been a game they will have earmarked for a potential three points amidst their most difficult of run-ins.
If going a goal down to a Gary Shaw header – from a set-piece no less – after just three minutes wasn’t bad enough, Drogheda were soon chasing that deficit with just ten men.
Eight minutes in, Joe Gorman, who was playing as a makeshift centre back, received his second booking in the space of three minutes. It was a needless challenge on Ayman Ben Mohamed and he left his teammates facing over 80 minutes of football with a man disadvantage.
Tony Cousins’ men came into the game buoyed from last week’s win over Cork City and would have been confident of securing their spot in the top flight after the Drogs shocker of a start.
Both David O’Sullivan and Kevin O’Connor tested Micheal Schlingermann with tame enough efforts in the first half but the home side could – perhaps should – have had a penalty after Tiernan Mulvenna was hauled down in the area when clean through on goal.
Just after the break, the impressive Ben Mohamed rattled the crossbar with a brilliant long range effort as the Town dominated. But Drogheda could have drawn level. Jason Marks’ lofted ball over the top was flicked on by Mulvenna and with Keith Treacy bearing down on goal, he could only lift his chip over goalkeeper and bar.
Shaw – who hadn’t scored for almost seven months prior to his early header – finally doubled Longford’s lead on 78 minutes when he raced onto Kevin O’Connor’s through ball and fired a left foot shot past Schlingermann.
As the clocked ticked past 90, Stephen Rice swept home from close range to compound Drogheda’s misery and send the sizeable away contingent home happy.
The outcome of Saturday’s match between Galway United and Bray could condemn the Louth men to a relegation play-off, but they now know defeat against Shamrock Rovers next week, coupled with a Limerick win would mean automatic relegation to the First Division.
Drogheda United: Micheal Schlingermann, Mick Daly, Alan Byrne, Joe Gorman, Jason Marks, Robert Bayly (Robert McKenna, 76), Sean Thornton, Mark Hughes, Keith Treacy (Adam Whelan, 79), Sean Brennan, Tiernan Mulvenna (Liam Donnelly, 86).
Subs: Mark O’Brien, Sam McGowan, James Daly, Ger Pender.
Longford Town: Paul Skinner, Pat Sullivan, Rhys Gorman, Mark Rossiter (Jamie Mulhall, 30), Conor Powell, Gary Shaw, Philip Gannon (Mark Salmon, 76), Kevin O’Connor, Stephen Rice, Ayman Ben Mohamed, David O’Sullivan (Dean Kelly, 76).
Subs: Paul Hunt, Martin Deady, Lorcan Shannon, Kaleem Simon.
Referee: Padraigh Sutton
Methinks, not treated the best by Potter.
From an Irish perspective first team football is crucial for Duffy. With Ben White being kept at Brighton, seen as they has turned down a 30 million bid you’d think he’ll be above Duffy in the pecking order.
I think the best move for Duffy now to get regular games might be a loan move to Celtic. I wouldnt like to see him in the Scottish league for more than one season though which is why i think a loan move is best.
Next summer then there might be better options for a permanent move.
@Gareth Ward: He’s too good to be playing in the Scottish league in my opinion. Definitely good enough to be playing for some premier league side
@Miguel Sanchez: Agreed but there doesn’t seem to be many decent interested teams in the premier league though
@Gareth Ward: doesn’t have to be a top prem team, even playing every week for one of the new boys would be better prep for Ireland games than playing for Celtic (particularly now they won’t be in champions league).
I’d say/hope he is holding out for an approach from prem knowing Celtic will snap the hand off him if he does go back to them.
(Not trying to have a pop at Celtic here, looking purely at what’s best for Ireland)
@Gareth Ward: West brom would suit
@Gareth Ward: either West Brom or an improving West Ham team would be a good move for him. I agree with the previous poster and he is far too good to play for Celtic. Personally I think he is a better defender than either Dunk or Webster and offers a threat from set pieces. He’s just coming into his prime now. He should definitely be able to stay in the premiership
@Ger: West ham look fairly solid at center back with ogbonna and diop. So its hard to see him breaking in there
@Ger: Well does Graham what ever his name is value your opinion?
Obviously not as he wants to off load Shane Duffy.
So realistically a loan season with Celtic could be good for all parties.
Duffy is a Celtic supporter and reports suggest he wants this loan move.
Shore up a porous Celtic defence by doing the business and who knows like Virgil Van Dijk before him becomes more than a sought after defender again
Meanwhile Brighton will be happy to sell if they get relegated – which is a distinct possibility.
QED.
I hope he join Celtic on loan so that he has a chance to win silverware especially aiming for the 10 in a row SPL titles!
@Mícheál Moran: Would the equivalent of a League One title satisfy a man with almost 100 premier league appearances? He has to be looking at staying in the top league or at the very least a decent championship team. He may as well move back to the Brandywell as traipse up to Glasgow.
@M:
Ah I know but if a Premiership club don’t snap him soon before the transfer window close then he should go to the SPL.
Crystal Palace should snap him up, mad he can’t get a game
Sometimes in football, you’re face does not fit with the manager, then it’s time to go. Duffy is too good not to be playing regularly
He’s a premier league centre half, to good for the championship ,one of the best in the air in the league , only 28 ,good age for a CB very surprised a top 6 club have not came in
Celtic really do need a few signings