Season Preview 2017 - Longford Town

Manager: Alan Matthews

Stadium: City Calling Stadium

Players in: Gavin Boyne, Jack Brady (Shelbourne), Aidan Friel (Wexford Youths), Dylan McGlade (St Patrick's Athletic), Jake Kelly (Bohemians), Daniel O'Reilly (Eastbourne), Enda Curran, Stephen Walsh (Galway United), Dean Zambra (Free Agent).

Players out: Pat Flynn (retired), Peter McGlynn (Sacramento Republic), Philip Gannon, Kaleem Simon (Bohemians), John McKeown, Lee Duffy (Wexford).

Extratime.ie Key Man: David O'Sullivan

O'Sullivan has been the main focal point of the Longford Town squad since his arrival from Wayside Celtic in January 2013. He holds the record as Longford Town's record goalscorer, amassing a total of 45 goals in his time at the club to date. Last season was one to forget for De Town, however, and O'Sullivan managed just eight in 31 league appearances. If Longford are to force their way back into the top level of Irish football, O'Sullivan’s goalscoring prowess is going to be key in the push for promotion, especially given only one side will go up.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Jake Kelly

Kelly signed for Longford Town in December 2016 following a stint with Bohemians, lasting from the midway stage of the 2015 season to the end of the 2016 season. He made 10 appearances in 2015, collecting an impressive total of five goals for Keith Long's charges. However, the 2016 was not as successful for Kelly as he could only record three in 23 league games. Kelly’s move from one team in red and black to anothermay provide him with the change of scenery that he needs and may help to catapult Alan Mathews' men back to the Premier Division.

How they did last season:

League: Relegated. Dwindling attendances accompanied with a woeful run of form throughout the midway point of the season meant that it was a season to forget for the Midlands club. Truly horrendous home form saw no wins at home for Town all season in the league. The few high points saw away victories at fellow relegation candidates Wexford Youths and Finn Harps, but they weren't enough to avoid relegation. Tony Cousins resigned to be replaced by Alan Matthews, who had previously won two FAI Cup Finals for De Town. However a change in manager didn’t see a change in fortunes and Longford were left rooted to the bottom of the table at the end of the season.

FAI Cup: De Town, who have an excellent cup pedigree (winners in 2003 and 2004) exited the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup at the third round last season. Town dispatched of Waterford United in the second round at the RSC with a 2-1 victory to set up a home draw with Cork City at the City Calling Stadium. Unfortunately this was as far as Longford would go as they succumbed to a 4-1 home defeat to the eventual cup winners at the rain soaked midlands venue.

EA Sports Cup: Longford exited the EA Sports Cup at the first round stage last season. De Town fell to a 3-1 away defeat at Dalymount Park to Bohemians, which saw their premature exit in the competition. It was the third season in a row which has seen the Midlands club being eliminated by The Gypsies in the competition.

What to expect this season:

The midlands club will surely have their eyes firmly set on returning to the Premier Division. However, this will be no easy task with the emergence of Waterford and a host of other clubs vying for the title and the single promotion spot. If Longford are to live up to their pre-season title favourites tag, the first task Alan Matthews charges have to overcome is to register their first home league win since the final weekend of the 2015 season. This remarkable statistic was the backbone of last seasons problems and should it be rectified, accompanied with a whole raft of impressive signings, a title charge must be seen as a realistic target.

Title Odds: 11/8.

First game: Shelbourne (away), 24^thFebruary (kick-off 7.45pm).