Season Preview 2014 - Longford Town

Manager: Tony Cousins

Stadium: City Calling Stadium

Players In: Lorcan Shannon (Bohemians), Pat Flynn (Shelbourne), Conor O'Brien (Free), Kevin O'Connor (Bray Wanderers), Stephen Rice (Shamrock Rovers), Don Cowan (Stevenage Borough), Pat Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers), Peter Hynes (Drogheda United), Craig Fitzgerald (U19) Sean Russell (UCD), Daryl Carrigy (On Loan – Derby County)

Players Out: Josh O'Hanlon (AFC Bournemouth), William McDonagh (Shelbourne), Daniel Purdy (Shamrock Rovers B), Derek O'Brien (Galway FC) Corie Treacy (Shamrock Rovers B), Keith Quinn (Shelbourne), Ryan Connolly (Loan ended, Galway FC).

Released: Des Hope (Retirement), Keith Gillespie (Retirement), Brian McCarthy, David O'Neill, Gavin Doyle, Michael Isichei, Dean Ebbe, Colm James.

Extratime.ie Key Man: David O'Sullivan

David O'Sullivan scored 21 goals last season and was chosen in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year last year. O'Sullivan is set terrorise defences in the First Division again this season. In his first competitive game of this season he made his mark putting Longford Town ahead twice only to have Shamrock Rovers (Wexford) equalise twice. He then scored Longford Town's 4^th penalty to win the shoot-out and put Longford Town through to the quarter finals of the Leinster Senior Cup. Scoring 2 goals in four pre-season friendlies can only be a sign of things to come for the 2014 First Division.

Extratime.ie One to Watch:  Daryl Carrigy

Still on the books at Derby County, 18 year old Daryl Carrigy returned to Ireland and was on trial with Finn Harps. When an offer from Longford (his home town) came up he decided to sign for Tony Cousins team.  Cousins believes that Daryl will perform well long-term and it is hard to see him not adding a lot to the Longford Town attack this season.

How they did last season:

League: 2^nd

FAI Cup: Quarter Final

EA Sports Cup: Second Round

Top League Goalscorer: David O'Sullivan - 21 goals

What to expect for 2014:

Longford Town are clear favourites in the First Division this year, having strengthened a team that just missed out on promotion last year they are well placed to challenge this season.  So keen to avoid a repeat of last season they have signed Kevin O'Connor who scored the goal that damned them to another season in the First Division. Tony Cousins has signed some experienced players to strengthen his squad this season. Bringing in players like Pat Flynn, Pat Sullivan and Stephen Rice who have all won everything in Irish football a few seasons ago with Shamrock Rovers. 

Cousins describes Rice as “the best professional I've managed in this league. He has achieved what he has achieved because of the way he prepares himself” when talking to ltfc.ie and he's impressed by the understanding that Pat Flynn and Sullivan have of each other’s games.

Up front the obvious threat of David O'Sullivan with 21 goals in his first season in the league. O'Sullivan will be joined by Don Cowan who returns after 3 seasons with Stevenage in League One (England). Cowan who suffered with injuries at Stevenage now believes he's stronger and faster than he ever was and is looking forward to kick starting his career again.

Off the field Cousins has added Graham Lawlor to his coaching staff. Lawlor will mainly be there to deal with fitness but he bring a lot of football knowledge with him. Cousins and assistant manager Gary Cronin will no doubt seek his opinion on how players are performing throughout the season.

Longford Town sold Josh O'Hanlon to AFC Bournmouth which weakened their team, however the undisclosed fee they received has enabled them to bring in some very experienced players.  Daryl Carrigy and Ryan Carberry are just two of the younger players who should be threatening to play their part in the First Division push and who will benefit from playing with the more experienced players Longford Town have brought in.

Returning from injury over the next few weeks are Chris Deans and their captain Mark Salmon. Salmon's injury last season was probably the turning point in Longford Town's season and it is hoped that he will remain fit and lead them to their promotion.

During pre-season Longford Town have had mixed results. Edging past Shamrock Rovers (Wexford) in the Leinster Senior Cup on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Their pre-season friendlies were mainly used to bring the squad's level of fitness to an acceptable level. Two losses a draw and a win against premier division opposition in warm up games is hard to draw a conclusion from but this team on paper do look like the team to beat in the 2014 First Division.

Title Odds: evens

First Game: vs Galway FC (Eamonn Deacy Park - Fri 7^th March 2014)