'It's amazing and it's still so raw' - Dean Byrne reacts as Longford Town secure late playoff win against UCD

Andrew Dempsey reports from the UCD Bowl

Dean Byrne expressed his delight after his late winner this afternoon was enough for Longford Town to defeat UCD in the First Division Playoff semi-final this afternoon.

Byrne pounced late on to fire into the top corner of the net as Daire Doyle’s charges completed an incredible turnaround in late extra-time.

Town fell behind with just over ten minutes of time to play, but they were able to swing the game in their favour thanks to goals from Byrne and defender Joe Gorman.  

“It’s amazing and it’s still so raw,” Byrne told extratime.com on the Longford Town late heroics.

“I can’t even remember the goal – I just remember it hitting the back of the net. Personally, I needed that big time – and confidence wise that’s huge to me.

“It gives me a lift and the team a lift too. Thankfully, we got through and we’re already looking forward to the next game.”

Byrne came on as a second-half sub for Longford – replacing Karl Chambers – and it was during his time on the bench when he saw opportunities to make his mark on the game.

“I was looking at the game and I saw there was chances around the edge of the box, I had a few shots but obviously it didn’t happen with them going wide and over the bar.

“That one that went in could not have come at a better time. They were deflated and it was pure ecstasy for us.”

While there were no fans in attendance at the UCD Bowl – there were several Longford fans who were seen watching the game over the fence at the ground boundaries – and Byrne dedicated his late heroics to the Town support.

“I saw the lads popping over the hedges over there when I was on the bench,” he explained.

“It’s excellent for them but it’s also hard for them not being able to be here to see this tonight.

“They deserve it because I understand how much it means to them. That was for all of the fans who weren’t at the game tonight.”

Next up for Longford is a First Division Playoff final against Galway United. It is expected that the game will be played a neutral venue.

“We have a huge battle ahead of us,” Byrne added on the Galway game.

“Galway have been unbelievable, and we have to give them every bit of respect they deserve.

“We’ll go into that game fully believing we’ll win the game.”