Longford up and running as Murtagh and Irhue see off Wexford

• Deniese O'Flaherty
• Sat, Mar 21 2026

Deniese O'Flaherty reporting from Bishopsgate

Goals in each half from Daragh Murtagh and Osaze Irhue saw Longford Town record their first win of the season and, in doing so, move from the bottom of the table and leapfrog Wexford into fifth place. Stephen Elliott’s side drop to eighth after this, their second defeat of the season.

It was a fine display from the Midlanders, who played some good football throughout. It was their first clean sheet of the season, thanks to some excellent goalkeeping from Kian Moore, who was ably assisted by a resolute defence.

The midfield were solid for Town, while Murtagh and his strike partner Dean Williams gave the Wexford defence a torrid time on numerous occasions.

The home side started brightly. In the fifth minute, Williams’ overhead kick was straight at Wexford keeper Paul Martin. Minutes later, Pharrell Manuel hit a shot over the bar.

In the 17th minute, Manuel’s free-kick met the head of Cole Omorehiomwan, but his effort was saved by Martin. Wexford tried to catch Town on the break, but their defence held firm.

Town broke the deadlock in the 19th minute; Williams’ ball met Murtagh at the near post, and he turned it past Martin. Town came close to doubling their advantage in the 24th minute, with Murtagh passing to Williams, who curled his shot just wide of the far post.

Wexford’s first real effort on goal came in the 33rd minute when Jack Doyle got to the endline and played a ball across the face of goal, but Jamie Wynne just couldn’t connect with it.

In the 39th minute, Williams came close to getting Town’s second goal; Murtagh played the ball back to him, but the striker’s effort from close range came off the crossbar.

Wexford started the second half well. Mikie Rowe was through on goal but hit the side netting. They had a great chance to draw level in the 49th minute; Doyle hit a stunning strike that was superbly tipped over the bar by Town keeper Moore.

Moore was called upon again in the 55th minute; this time, the netminder got down to stop Wynne’s strike. Town soaked up that pressure and, in the 62nd minute, doubled their advantage.

A goal-kick from Moore found Williams, who played a one-two with Murtagh before putting a pinpoint cross into the box, and Irhue directed a downward header past Martin.

Wexford went in search of a goal but couldn’t find a way past Moore in the Town goal; Doyle had a chance in the 85th minute, but the Town netminder got down to save. The South East side had the ball in the net in the 90th minute, but it was offside.

Nothing of note happened in stoppage time as Town held on for a deserved win.

Longford Town: Kian Moore; Daniel McKenna, Cole Omorehiomwan, Conor Errity, Taylor McCarthy, Osaure Irhue; Alex O’Brien, Sean Moore (Sultan Adenekan 89), Pharrell Williams (Andy Paraschiv 75); Daragh Murtagh (Kyle Robinson 89), Dean Williams (Stefan Ugbesia 75).

Subs not used: Edvinas Jakas, Luke O’Brien, Kobichidi Ndebumadu, Jack Hough, Jonathan-Maxwell Adedeji.

Bookings: Pharrell Manuel 34, Kian Moore 56, Daragh Murtagh 64

Wexford FC: Paul Martin; Max Murphy, Dylan Hand, Ryan Butler, Evan Osam; Mikie Rowe, Adam Verdon (Ryan Ritchie 63), Jack Larkin (Mohammad Oladiti 74), Jamie Wynne; Kaylem Harnett (Calum Flynn 81), Jake Doyle.

Subs not used: Alex Moody, Dean Larkin, Zayd Abada, Liam Shuntaro Doyle, Gavin Hodgins, Kian Dignan.

Bookings: None

Referee: Arnold Hunter

Attendance: 542

Extratime.com Player of the Match: Kian Moore (Longford Town)