2017 Season Report Card: Longford Town

Team: Longford Town

Manager: Neale Fenn. There was a managerial change at the midway point of the season as Alan Mathews departed after a disappointing start to the First Division season which saw town struggle to find any rhythm going and as a result, The Midlanders were floundering in the mid-table positions of the First Division. After a brief stint with Gary Cronin in charge, Neale Fenn was installed as the permanent manager until the end of the season. Fenn managed to lift the spirits at the City Calling Stadium and with the former Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers and Cork City man staying on for next season, a promising 2018 looks to be in store.

Top scorer: Club legend Davy O’Sullivan added 13 goals to his record goal tally at the club since his arrival at the start of the 2013 season. Incredibly, O’Sullivan managed a hat-trick of hat-tricks which all came against midlands rivals, Athlone Town, winning a specially commissioned award from the Longford Town Supporters' club at the end of the season.

Highest Attendance: A crowd of 910 came through the gates at the City Calling Stadium to welcome Premier Division winners Cork City to the Strokestown Road Venue. Town, after clinching an impressive 4-2 victory over Sligo Rovers looked to provide one of the most famous cup upsets of this year’s competition but fell to a 4-1 defeat despite an improved second half showing which saw Neale Fenn’s men go three-nil down before the break.

Lowest Attendance: Only 211 showed up to the CCS as Longford Town ran out comprehensive 5-0 winners at home to Wexford. Dean Zambra scored two alongside captain Kevin O’Connor, Kealan Dillon and Dylan McGlade in what turned out to be Alan Mathews’ final game in charge during his second stint at the club. 

Star Player: In what was a disappointing season for most at Longford Town, Daniel O’Reilly really stood out as one of the better performers in the Red and Black with some commanding displays as centre-back. O’Reilly has been suitably rewarded by both his own supporters and fellow players alike, winning the Longford Town Player of the Year award while also being included in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year.

Best Young Player: Local lad Tristan Noack-Hofmann endeared himself to the City Calling Stadium faithful with quality displays of maturity and confidence throughout the season. Having come up from the under-19s at the club Noack-Hofmann was already well known to many observers at the club so to see a local lad like himself come through the ranks is a real positive for the club. He’s not the only local who made a mark on the first team with Aodh Dervin and Dan Beya also getting involved this season.

Best New Signing: Having left during the summer of the bleak relegation season of 2016, Daniel O’Reilly made a quick return to the fold at Longford Town for the start of the 2017 season and racked up a grand total of 30 appearances for De Town, scoring 2 goals in the process in the wins over Cabinteely and Athlone Town. O’Reilly was a welcome re-addition to the side and certainly deserves this honour.

What we expected they would do: Collectively, the ExtraTime.ie reporters and photographers predicted a 2^nd place finish for Longford Town, hinting towards the Red and Black pushing title favourites Waterford FC all the way. This never materialised and unfortunately for myself, I was left a little red-faced having predicted a league title to be celebrated in the Midlands. This is my preview here.

What they actually did: It was far from a vintage league campaign with Longford Town ultimately disappointing in a 5^th placed finish, having only pipped Cabinteely on goal difference. Looking back, by the time Town had a rhythm, thoughts of promotion were well gone and in all honesty, talk of the title ended in May after a 1-0 defeat away to Waterford at the RSC.

A good cup run to the quarter finals certainly saw an improved mood among Town supporters with a morale-boosting 4-2 cup win over their N4 Derby rivals Sligo Rovers in the First Round of the FAI Cup. An unconvincing 1-0 victory away to non-league Bangor Celtic followed before setting up an almighty clash at home to Cork where a season high 910 strong crowd descended on the City Calling Stadium to see the cup fairy-tale end in defeat despite a spirited second half display.

The EA Sports Cup saw Town reach the Quarter Finals before being disposed of by Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium. In the First Round, Town overcame Athlone Town in an incredible 4-3 thriller at the Athlone Town Stadium. Town progressed to face Shelbourne where they came through in a 2-0 victory in front of a sparse 191 crowd at Tolka Park before becoming unstuck at Tallaght Stadium thanks to a Dean Dillon late winner for the Hoops.

The Leinster Senior Cup wasn’t as kind for Longford Town as they crashed out against non-league side Firhouse Clover in a 1-0 defeat at Tallaght IT. It was a much-changed Town side only a mere two days after the season opener away to Shelbourne at Tolka Park.

What they need to improve on for next year: With things starting to click for Neale Fenn towards the end of the season with his possession-based style of play, one would have to point towards the importance of keeping the core of the team together for an assault on promotion to the Premier Division.

Most importantly, Town will need to have a quick start to avoid the ghosts of the poor start to the 2017 campaign while also staying through to the attractive style of play which has led to an increase in crowd numbers through the turnstiles at the City Calling Stadium.

There is a belief among fans and players alike that should one or two quality additions be added to the core of the 2017 squad, promotion is most certainly a possibility by October 2018. Obviously, keeping a hold of Neale Fenn would be crucial in strengthening this belief.

Moment of the Season: The Moment of the season for Longford Town has to be the magical 4-2 victory of Sligo Rovers in the FAI Cup 1^st Round at the City Calling Stadium. With the game almost having a do-or-die attitude from the Longford Town camp, they certainly delivered which saw an incredible show of fitness and heart to dispose of a very poor Sligo Rovers side on the night.

New signing Peter Hopkins particularly impressed in what was his first full appearance for his new employers. Having gone 2-1 down despite dominating a full-time outfit for most of the game, Sam Verdon grabbed a late equaliser to set up a half an hour that’ll be remembered fondly by those at the ground that night.

Peter Hopkins and Kealan Dillon delivered the goods to put the seal on a memorable night for those at the City Calling Stadium, mirroring the spirit of the famous cup upset over an all-conquering Bit o’ Red side of 1969 while Longford Town were plying their trade in the non-leagues.