Longford Town boss Daire Doyle delighted as his side keeps promotion dreams alive

Andrew Dempsey reports from the UCD Bowl

Longford boss Daire Doyle expressed his delight as his side incredibly kept their playoff dream alive with the latest of late wins away to UCD.

Doyle – who has plenty of history in the playoffs as a player – saw his side rise from the ashes to complete a sensational turnaround at the Belfield Bowl.

“It was an incredible ending,” he told extratime.com. “For a player like Dean Byrne to come on and score a winner like that was brilliant after all of his injury troubles this year.

“There was a never say die attitude about us as a group.” He added: “It’s really tough on UCD and commiserations to them because they have had a great year this year.

“I’m sure for anyone watching that game it was a brilliant game to watch. There was plenty of chances, some really good football played, and we’re delighted to be through to the next round.”

And while he praised his players for their win, he also paid tribute to his returning man of the moment Dean Byrne.

“Dean has put in a lot of work to get back to the position he’s in today,” Doyle added. “But we have to mention both Albert (Byrne) and Willie (Conlon) on our medical side for the work they put in to get Dean back.

“He was possibly helped a bit by Covid when nobody was playing football, but it was tough for him mentally and he’s been really strong to get back and play the games he has this year.

“It’s a special person, player and goal that has won us the game tonight.”



13 years to the day, a Longford Town side that Daire Doyle played in won an FAI Cup semi-final away to UCD.

And on the same day 13 years on, Doyle managed to replicate the same feat as a manager, this time in the playoffs.

“We knew that if we lost today that would be our season finished and we wouldn’t be back in next week,” he finished.

“We might have had a get together (if we had lost) but we’re back in now for next week, but that’s how playoffs are.

“I’ve played in many crazy games as a player in them. All sorts happen in them and it’s important that you’re prepared for the mad things that can happen.”