2020 Season Preview - Longford Town

Manager: Daire Doyle

Stadium: Bishopsgate

Players in: James English (Shelbourne), Rob Manley (Cabinteely), Eric Abulu (Shamrock Rovers), Matthew O’Brien (Phoenix FC), Dylan Hand (Dundalk), Aaron McNally (Dundalk), Joe Gorman (Cliftonville), Niall Barnes (Bluebell United).

Players out: Aaron Dobbs (Shelbourne), Anto Breslin (Bohemians), Conor Kenna (Kilnamanagh United), Paul O’Conor (retired), Carlton Ubaezuonu (Galway United), Sean Boyd (Unattached), Tristan Noack Hofmann (Bray Wanderers), Evan O'Connor (Athlone Town), Kristian Crawford (Wexford), Patrick O'Sullivan (Wexford).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Dean Byrne

After a season that yielded 12 league goals, and a PFAI First Division Player of the Year nomination, Longford Town’s Dean Byrne appears primed to take the second tier by storm once more in 2020.

Byrne turned down a whole host of ‘so-called’ bigger clubs to remain with Longford, and he will be hoping that his decision to remain at Bishopsgate will be vindicated at the end of the season.

And with a new emerging younger core of Longford Town beginning to blossom, by pre-season results and performances at least – the 24-year-old Dubliner has the potential to spearhead another promotion charge with the Red and Black.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Dylan Grimes

Certainly not an unknown amongst First Division circles, Dylan Grimes has impressed suitably at Longford Town following his return to League of Ireland football after a spell with Sheriff YC.



Grimes, formerly of Shelbourne, joined Longford in the mid-season transfer window where he showed glimpses of his quality at the tail end of the season.

And after a couple of months bedding into his new surroundings in the Midlands, the young Dubliner will certainly be looking at 2020 as a year where he can push on and improve once more.

How they did last season:

League:

Longford Town comfortably secured a playoff position, but they were left 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.

FAI Cup:

After sailing past Athlone Town in their FAI Cup opener at the then called City Calling Stadium, Longford Town tumbled out of the Cup in devastating fashion at the hands of Bohemians in the second round.

A gripping encounter went all the way to spot-kicks after Jack Doherty had levelled the tie in extra-time after Andre Wright’s opener, where De Town were thwarted by Bohs shot-stopper James Talbot.

It was a difficult way for the Midlander’s to fall out of the competition they won back to back in 2003 and 2004, but they will be buoyed with their efforts against Keith Long’s charges.

EA Sports Cup:

The EA Sports Cup was not as kind to Longford Town this term as they were defeated by eventual finalists Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

A much-changed Longford were swept aside by three goals to nil, with Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, Eoghan Stokes and Gerardo Bruno all netting for the Candystripes.

What to expect this season:

Despite fears that there would be a widespread break up at Longford Town during the off-season transfer window, newly installed permanent boss Daire Doyle has managed to retain a number of the club’s 2019 stars.

Most notably, Lee Steacy, Shane Elworthy, Mick McDonnell, Aodh Dervin, Sam Verdon and Dean Byrne have all committed to the fold for 2020.

In addition, the Red and Black of the Midlands have also been busy in terms of recruiting high-class First Division options – with the double acquisition of Rob Manley and James English strengthening their attacking options.

Following the club’s impressive off-season recruitment drive, Longford Town look well primed for yet another assault on the First Division.

Similarly, to promotion rivals Drogheda United, Longford have been building a steady squad over the past two years, and there is certainly a feeling of now or never in regard to seeing if this current crop can deliver.

Can they? Initial signs indicate yes, but they will be acutely aware that nothing will come easy, as they have found out previously.

If the goals get flowing and the defence remains as watertight as it was at times last season, one thing can be assured – Longford Town will be an irresistible force if they can fire on all cylinders.

 

Title Odds: 3/1

First game: Shamrock Rovers II/Athlone Town (H) - (Saturday 22nd February).