League Preview: Cabinteely -v- Longford Town

CABINTEELY

Looking for their third home win on the spin, Cabinteely host title-chasing Longford Town in a key First Division promotion/playoff clash on Friday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

With just three points being the difference between the two sides in the playoff positions, both teams will know the importance of getting three on points at Stradbrook.

It was Cabinteely who came out on top the last time both sides met at the City Calling Stadium thanks to a deserved late one-nil win for Pat Devlin’s charges with Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters scoring.

Speaking ahead of the game with his club’s media team, Devlin is looking for his side to continue playing with hunger and desire after a superb point at Tolka Park last time out.

“The lads played with a lot hunger and desire; and the way they went about their business was really pleasing. But we have some tough games coming up.

“We have Longford this week; Drogheda next week. All the lads are itching to play. With competition for places, we have some very good players waiting to get into the side.

“We have seven (league) games to go. We must focus on each one as it comes along.

“All the teams we must play are very organised and professional in their own right. But we have to focus on ourselves and try to reach the play-offs at least.”

Kieran Marty Waters is the only confirmed absentee for the Green and Whites ahead of the visit of Longford Town.



LONGFORD TOWN

Searching for their first away win since May 3rd, Longford Town make the trip to Stradbrook to face a rejuvenated Cabinteely.

Cabo inflicted defeat on De Town last time the sides met with arguably their most polished performance of the season.

“Cabo are a good team, a very good team,” manager Neale Fenn told his club’s media team.

“They’ve shown that they can play very good football and they’ve got good players.

“Every game is going to tough; we say that every week. No team has ran away at the top yet and teams haven’t taken hidings yet.



“Each team is organised, and the first goal is always huge. We’ll try go to Stradbrook and take the lead and try stop them scoring in the process as well.”

In terms of team news for the Midlander’s, Paul O’Conor is expected to miss out due to his broken cheek suffered during the defeat to Shelbourne at Tolka Park.

Jamie Doyle is rated as doubtful while Dean Byrne is expected to return to the starting eleven having missed out with injury last time out.

The returning duo of Joe Manley and Tristan Noack-Hofmann are also in contention to return to the fold following their recent involvement at the 2019 World University Games. 

Referee: Robert Harvey.

 

MATCH STATS

Longford Town have not won on any of their recent trips to the capital with their last success on the East Coast coming in April 2018 over Shamrock Rovers in the EA Sports Cup at Tallaght Stadium.

Cabinteely have only once fallen to defeat to Longford Town at Stradbrook, with Pat Devlin’s charges falling to defeat versus Neale Fenn’s side in September 2017.

Cabo have won three of their previous five home games with points only being dropped against Cobh Ramblers and Drogheda United in recent weeks.

BETTING

Cabinteely 15/8; Draw 11/5; Longford Town 5/4.

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 1 - 1 Longford Town.

 

Cabinteely

Injured: Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Longford Town

Injured: Paul O’Conor.

Doubtful: Jamie Doyle.

Suspended: None.