'Hopefully we will be remembered' - Rob Manley buoyant as his goal sends Longford back to the top-flight

Andrew Dempsey reports from Richmond Park

Longford Town goalscoring hero Rob Manley admits he was relieved to make amends for his penalty miss in the first-half and score in the second-half to seal Longford’s top-flight return.

Manley blazed over from the spot in the 26^th minute after he was fouled by Shels defender Luke Byrne.

Byrne would be dismissed for his troubles after picking up a second yellow, but the ex-Cabinteely forward could not convert from twelve yards out.

“After I missed the penalty, I wanted the ground to swallow me up,” Manley told extratime.com. “But luckily the lads in the dressing room had my back and I had theirs.

“I was so happy to come out in the second-half and grab the winner.”

In October 2019, Manley scored the goal that consigned Longford to another year in the First Division for his former club Cabo.

However, just 13 months on, he has sent the side he dumped out last year back to the Premier Division after a four-year absence.

“I was full of confidence coming into the game,” he added. “Last year with Cabinteely I broke my hand and could not play against Drogheda so this week I was so nervous not to do anything in training with injuries.

“It was a long week building up to it and I have to commend both John (Martin) and Daire (Doyle) for their preparation they put into the game. I’m delighted we did for them.

“Everyone gave their all throughout the game. I could barely run towards the end of the game and I was just so happy we got over the line. We limited Shels to very few chances.”

The 23-year-old forward and his brother Joe have now achieved promotion together after being on opposing sides last year.

“That’s why we both signed for this season, to get promoted,” he said. “Longford need to be in the Premier Division, it’s a Premier Division club.

“It has all the facilities to be one and I’m delighted that us as a team have achieved that. Hopefully we will be remembered.”