Longford Town dumped Shamrock Rovers out of the EA SPORTS Cup on a showery evening at the Tallaght Stadium. A late Daniel O’Reilly goal gave the Town safe passage to the quarter-final, in which Neale Fenn’s men will be away to Cobh Ramblers. Longfo
Longford Town dumped Shamrock Rovers out of the EA SPORTS Cup on a showery evening at the Tallaght Stadium.
A late Daniel O’Reilly goal gave the Town safe passage to the quarter-final, in which Neale Fenn’s men will be away to Cobh Ramblers.
Longford were full value for their win although they did live dangerously just before skipper O’Reilly’s 89th minute strike. They probably shaded half chances in the goalless first half, notable for some nervy Tomer Chencinski clearances.
Jack Brady and Dylan McGlade both gave the ball away deep in their own territory but the Hoops, showing nine changes from the league draw with Limerick, failed to capitalise. It looked like Rovers would finally make the breakthrough.
Brady made a brilliant save from David McAllister, tipping the Rovers captain’s fierce 83rd minute shot over the bar. Four minutes later, he again superbly palmed away a shot from Brandon Kavanagh.
Longford broke upfield and forced two corners in rapid succession after Chencinski had parried a McGlade around the post. The second corner from the left fell to substitute Evan Galvin who played the ball low to the feet of O’Reilly, who smashed a low shot to the right-hand bottom corner.
There was still time for Brandon Kavanagh to shoot just over but Longford held on before a sparse attendance.
