2 v 0 
Kerry FCDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April 2023 | 7:30 pm | LOI Men's First Division | 2023 |
Match Report
Longford pick up first win at home to Kerry
A brace from Josh Giurgi earned Longford Town their first win of the season at home to Kerry FC.
Giurgi grabbed his first goal in the 10th minute and despite Town having possession and chances they didn’t get their second goal until the 89th minute.
Kerry battled well but only forced Town keeper Jack Brady into making one real save of note; that came in the 74th minute.
Giurgi brought a save out of Kerry keeper Wayne Gutherie in the third minute. The home side broke the deadlock in the 10th minute. Aodh Dervin played the ball to Derek Daly, he got the deftest of touches and it was picked up by Giurgi, he stepped inside before finding the bottom corner of the net with a fine strike.
Darragh Lynch brought a save out of Gutherie in the 28th minute and minutes later Gutherie was alert to get a touch on the ball after Dervin played a fine ball into the box for Giurgi. Kerry didn’t trouble Town keeper Brady in that opening half.
Within the opening minute of the second half Town had a chance to double their advantage; Kyle O’Connor played a quick free to Gary Armstrong but he dragged his shot wide.
Down the other end in the 51st minute Leo Gaxha played the ball across the face of the goal but it was too heavy for Ryan Kelliher.
Sean O’Connell hit a free in the 62nd minute but it was gathered by Brady. Town had the ball in the net for a second time in the 65th minute when Armstrong finished the ball to the net. He was flagged for offside.
Kerry substitute Sean McGrath hit a long range effort in the 74th minute but it was saved by Brady. The visitors played some good football but lacked a cutting edge up front.
The Kerry substitutes made a difference and they were lively when they were introduced. Town got their second goal in the 89th minute; substitute Jamal Ibrahim flicked the ball into the path of another sub Francis Campbell, he laid the ball off to Giurgi who fired to the net.
Timeline
| 7. Josh Giurgi | 10' | |
| 33' | 12. Matt Keane | |
| 8. Aodh Dervin | 43' | |
| 57' | Matt Keane Rob Vasiu | |
| 57' | Shane Gutherie Seán McGrath | |
| 57' | Ryan Kelliher Sean Kennedy | |
| Darragh Lynch Francis Campbell | 66' | |
| 82' | Nathan Gleeson Kennedy Amechi | |
| Derek Daly Jamal Ibrahim | 88' | |
| 7. Josh Giurgi | 89' | |
| 22. Francis Campbell | 90' |
Ground
| Bishopsgate, Longford |
|---|
| City Calling Stadium, L50021, Mullolagher, Cloondara ED, Longford Municipal District, County Longford, Leinster, Ireland |
Deniese O'Flaherty
Deniese is a freelance sports journalist/broadcaster. She has worked for several local and national media outlets. GAA and soccer are her great loves and she also follows rugby league and snooker. She's a big supporter of her local clubs St. Mary's GAA Granard and Longford Town. She also follows Celtic, Liverpool and Leeds Rhinos. She presented and produced a popular sports podcast last year where she interviewed Ray Houghton, Chris Kamara and John Hartson. Deniese is currently Head of Communications for Boccia Ireland
Francis Campbell is booked
Josh Giurgi with the goal
Derek Daly is off
Jamal Ibrahim
A decent free hit in by Graham O'Reilly but it's headed clear.
Nathan Gleeson is off
Kennedy Amechi is on
Kerry really coming into this game now
Sean McGrath with a long range strike that makes Brady stretch to save.
Josh Giurgi picks up a loose ball but it's straight at the keeper
Stephen Henderson is getting a little animated on the sideline. His moves aren't as good as Ollie Horgan's.
Stephen Henderson is getting a little animated on the sideline. His moves aren't as good as Ollie Horgan's.
Darragh Lynch is off
Francis Campbell is on
Gary Armstong with a goal but it's offside. If he hadn't have touched Darragh Lynch's effort it was going in.
Derek Daly with a good ball across the box but Darragh Lynch couldn't get to it
Offside for Kerry but he still missed!!!
Sean O'Connell with a free but it's gathered by Jack Brady
Shane Gutherie
Sean McGrath is on
Ryan Kelliher is off
Sean Kennedy is on
Matt Keane is off
Rob Vasiu is on
Corner for the home side
Leo Gaxha with a great ball across the box but unfortunately it was too heavy for Ryan Kelliher
A quick free kick is taken by Kyle O'Connor to Gary Armstrong but he dragged his effort wide in front of the goals
Aodh Dervin is booked
Ronan Teehan showing some of his silky skills
Matt Keane is booked
A fine ball played in by Aodh Dervin, Gutherie is out quick to get the ball ahead of Giurgi, he lost it but Giurgi was unable to pick up possession
Darragh Lynch brings a fine save out of Wayne Gutherie
A pass from Aodh Dervin, got a slight touch by Derek Daly through to Josh Giurgi, he stepped inside before firing to the bottom corner of the net.
Josh Giurgi with the goal
Very little to report here.
Josh Giurgi with a chance but the Kerry keeper Wayne Gutherie did well to save
Town have three points. that's from three draws while Kerry have picked up one point, that came against Treaty Utd
Both sides have yet to win a game this season
This is Kerry's first visit to the Midlands. A unique occasion.
Welcome to Final Whistle's coverage of Longford Town v Kerry FC. I'm Deniese O'Flaherty