Longford picked up an important 5-1 victory over UCD at Belfield on Friday night to close the gap to the leaders to six points. In glorious conditions at The Bowl, the visitors burst out of the blocks, and deservedly led 2-1 at the break via Daniel
Longford picked up an important 5-1 victory over UCD at Belfield on Friday night to close the gap to the leaders to six points.
In glorious conditions at The Bowl, the visitors burst out of the blocks, and deservedly led 2-1 at the break via Daniel O’Reilly and Dylan McGlade.
As The Students committed more men forward in search of an equaliser after the break, De Town took advantage, and scored three goals in the last fifteen minutes.
Longford were the better side in the first-half. They took the lead in the tenth minute. College failed to deal with a corner. The ball bobbled around the six-yard box, before Daniel O’Reilly smashed it towards goal.
It went through a few bodies, before hitting the net. The visitors had much more intent as the half wore on, but UCD equalised with ten minutes to go before the break. Daire O’Connor did well on the right wing, before crossing for Georgie Kelly.
The striker couldn’t get a proper contact on the ball, but it hit him, before falling perfect for Greg Sloggett to smash it home from six yards. Longford weren’t to be denied though, and their second goal wasn’t dissimilar to the first.
A cross from the right missed everyone, before Dylan McGlade smashed it passed Conor Kearns at the back post. De Town started the second-half brightly, and Sam Verdon forced Conor Kearns into a full stretch save to keep the gap at two.
But with UCD committing more players forward, Longford put the result beyond doubt with fifteen minutes to go. They broke, and McGlade got on the end of Shane Elworthy’s cross. They weren’t done however.
Elworthy scored the pick of their goals, chipping Kearns from thirty-five yards, before Verdon punished a Josh Collins slip, finishing coolly into the left corner from close range. Longford welcome Cobh to City Call Stadium next weekend, while College will have to put this one behind them before the visit of third-placed Shelbourne to the Bowl on Friday.
