Promotion Playoff Preview: Longford Town -v- Galway United

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford come into this play-off on the back of a season where they ultimately finished fourth.

Despite a delayed start to their campaign, and indifferent early form, they recovered well to stay in the promotion shake-up for the most of year.

They were able to keep a comfortable distance between themselves and the chasing pack before a run of one defeat in the last ten games secured their position.

Much of their attacking prowess comes through marauding full-backs Dylan Barnett and Shane Elworthy, while Kian Corbally and Dean McMenamy will be expected to provide the service from midfield.

Jordan Adeyemo has proven a good signing up front and could feature against his former club.

Considering the upheaval experienced by the club following relegation last year, they were perhaps not expected to feature in the promotion race.

Gary Cronin has been able to put together a side capable of beating anyone at this level. He overcame a large turnover in playing staff, and the disappointment of finishing bottom, to try and get back up.

GALWAY UNITED

The play-offs were not the route that John Caulfield’s side wanted to go through again at the start of the season.

Heavily tipped for automatic promotion by many, they fell away badly from being top to eventually end up third. Many feel that a similar result this time could make his position quite difficult.

A run of only two wins from the final ten games proved to be their undoing as they saw Cork City eventually claim the honours and Waterford overtake them into second. Home form proved to be especially worrying as they saw two of their three home losses in this period.

It is not the type of form you wish to take into this sort of game.

If Caulfield can get the side focused and on form, they could be hard to stop.

“Gary Cronin is probably the most experienced manager in the First Division – he always gets his team to the playoffs,” John Caulfield said, speaking to the club’s website.

“Longford are the most experienced part-time team in the league with players like [Sam] Verdon, [Michael] Barker, [Michael] McDonnell, [Dylan] Barnett and [Shane] Elworthy.

“We know how good they are – we have played them a number of times this year. But we know we are at the business end of the season and we know what we have to do.

“We are looking forward to both matches, we have been preparing hard over the last number of weeks with the playoffs in mind.”

They have a wealth of attacking players in their squad and can score from anywhere. Former Longford players Rob Manley, Stephen Walsh and Evan O’ Connor might feature once more against their former side.

Set-pieces are a real source of strength for them with Stephen Walsh a constant threat.

Last weekend’s comeback demonstrated their desire to fight to the very end. Traits they will need to play Premier Division football once more.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan

MATCH STATS

Longford do have the upper hand when it comes to the fixtures against one another so far this season.

Sam Verdon and Darren Craven saw them come from behind to record their second win of the season. A Cristian Magerusan double saw them record another home victory against them in June.

Games at Eamonn Deacy Park have been more in favour of Galway though. David Hurley and Max Hemmings scoring in a two-nil win over a ten men side in May, while the most recent fixture took place last weekend. Galway recovered from a two-goal deficit at half-time to eventually draw three-all.

BETTING

Longford Town 6/4, Draw 5/2, Galway United 7/5

PREDICTION

Longford Town 2-2 Galway United    

Longford Town

Injured: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: N/A

Galway United

Injured: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: N/A