End of Season Report Card 2019 - Longford Town

Team: Longford Town

Manager: Daire Doyle.

Daire Doyle was appointed as Longford Town boss on an interim basis following the departure of Neale Fenn in August.

Doyle has since been installed as the club’s permanent first-team boss, after he oversaw the club’s foray into the First Division Playoffs that ended in heartbreak for the Red and Black.

Top Scorer: Dean Byrne (12).

Dean Byrne asserted himself as one of the First Division’s most prized assets with a superb year in front of goal – just a year after a cruel long-term injury cut short his 2018 campaign

Stadium: City Calling Stadium.

Highest Attendance: 1,111 v Shelbourne

A large home and away crowd descended on City Calling Stadium for a pivotal title-clash, a game that Shelbourne ultimately won comfortably on their way to the First Division title.  

Lowest Attendance: 430 v Bray Wanderers



Only 430 patrons braved the elements as Longford Town fell to defeat at home to Bray Wanderers in their final home league game of the season.

The defeat proved costly with full-back Anto Breslin brandished with a red-card, a dismissal that saw Breslin play his last game of the season.  

Star Player: Dean Byrne.

Forward Dean Byrne scored 12 goals this term with moments of real quality and skill propelling Longford Town on their way to a playoff position.

However, Byrne was unable to fire in the playoffs against Cabinteely – with Longford Town eventually bowing out on penalties.

Despite that, the former Hardwicke forward has earned himself a PFAI First Division Player of the Year nomination – a just reward for a fine year.



Best Young Player: Aodh Dervin.

Having burst onto the scene during the 2018 campaign, local Longford lad Dervin turned heads this year with some fine displays in the middle of the park for the Red and Black.

Perhaps unfortunate to miss out on a spot in the PFAI First Division team of the year, the youngster has shown that he is more than capable of playing at a higher level next term.

Daire Doyle will face an uphill task to retain arguably his most valuable asset, with his tenacious play and determination evident during his 26 league appearances – scoring once.  

Best New Signing: Anto Breslin.

Breslin turned out to be one of the finds of the First Division this term, after returning home from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer.

An unsuccessful trail with Shamrock Rovers saw Breslin train with Longford – before signing during the off-season.

The full-back proved to a be a sizeable weapon on the flanks for Town – with his impressive first year in senior football undoubtedly turning the heads of some of the Premier Division’s top sides.  

What we expected they would do: 4th

The Extratime.ie team predicted a fourth placed finish for Neale Fenn’s side at the start of the season.

What they actually did: 3rd

Longford Town comfortably secured a playoff position, but they will be ruing their missed opportunity to win the First Division title.

Their early momentum was lost in May, before they rallied in August. However, the defeat at home to Shelbourne dashed any hopes of a slim title bid – with a playoff position secured.

However, they were dumped out of the playoffs in heart-breaking fashion at home to Cabinteely via a penalty shootout – in a year of many positives for the Red and Black.

What they need to improve on for next year:

If it was simple to retain many of their stars, Longford Town, along with Drogheda United – would be installed as easy pre-season title favourites for the 2020 First Division campaign.

However, it will be highly unlikely that many will opt to stay on for another tilt at promotion at City Calling Stadium.

For those that do opt to stay or join, manager Daire Doyle is likely to have to rebuild a squad capable of challenging for promotion next term.

If Doyle can retain, or even replace the expected loss of stars – Longford will be left in good stead ahead of the 2020 season.

Like many sides, a prolific goalscorer will be craved – easier said than signed – but if, a major if, they keep a number of their key players – a return to the top-flight will appear closer than ever.