1 v 0 
Longford TownDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 August 2021 | 3:00 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Rovers Scale’ late heights in win over Longford
Shamrock Rovers left it late again with birthday boy Liam Scales heading home in the 95th minute as they beat Longford Town FC 1-0 at Tallaght Stadium this afternoon.
It was a day when Daire Doyle’s visitors put in a great defensive performance in the capital, but Rovers dug deep to deliver a victory.
It seemed as though The Hoops would be unable to replicate Thursday night’s late dramatics as they continually failed to break down a stern Longford Town defence. Just seconds before the winner, Graham Burke headed the ball off of the post.
However, Scales came to the rescue, with a glancing header at the near post. A massive three points for Stephen Bradley’s side and deservedly so, however De Town will be more than heartbroken after a valiant defensive performance.
Daire Doyle’s side weathered the storm for 90 minutes as the hosts dominated the game. Paddy Kirk and Aaron O’Driscoll were excellent at the back for the visitors. Michael McDonnell made an incredible defensive header in the last 15 minutes, denying Aaron Greene a certain goal.
Town goalkeeper Lee Steacy proved to be the most heroic of the bunch making numerous vital saves throughout the game. Steacy made several close range saves in the final 10 minutes, looking unbeatable up until the final minute of injury-time.
Rovers always looked the more threatening going forward. The front three of Burke, Aaron Greene and Thursday night’s hero Aidomo Emakhu caused all sorts of problems for the visitors as they pressed and harassed their back line all game long.
Despite the problems the front three caused they never managed to create many clear-cut chances and were unable to finish the few that they did. The introduction of Rory Gaffney and Daniel Mandriou injected life into Rovers, allowing Burke more space to drive into the box and wreak havoc. The final 10 minutes was a barrage from Stephen Bradley’s side on the Longford box and ultimately led to the winner.
With this afternoon’s victory Shamrock Rovers find themselves three points clear of second place Pat’s with a game in hand. As for Longford, 12 points separate them and ninth place Finn Harps who have a game in hand over the Midlanders.
Timeline
Past Meetings
|
(Series 14)
0 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Bishopsgate, Longford Longford Town v Shamrock Rovers |
|
(Series 5)
2 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium Shamrock Rovers v Longford Town |
9 - 1eLOI Group C
Online Event Shamrock Rovers v Longford Town |
|
(Series 10)
1 - 2LOI Men's First Division
Tallaght Stadium Shamrock Rovers v Longford Town |
|
(Series 1)
2 - 0LOI Men's First Division
Bishopsgate, Longford Longford Town v Shamrock Rovers |
2 - 4LOI Men's Premier Division
Bishopsgate, Longford Longford Town FC v Shamrock Rovers FC |
2 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium Shamrock Rovers FC v Longford Town FC |
2LOI Men's Premier Division
Bishopsgate, Longford Longford Town FC v Shamrock Rovers FC |
1 - 3LOI Men's Premier Division
Bishopsgate, Longford Longford Town FC v Shamrock Rovers FC |
3 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium Shamrock Rovers FC v Longford Town FC |
2LOI Men's Premier Division
Bishopsgate, Longford Longford Town FC v Shamrock Rovers FC |
Ground
| Tallaght Stadium |
|---|
| Tallaght Stadium, Whitestown Way, Tallaght, Dublin 24, D24 XC9W |
GOAL! A long throw-in finds Liam Scales who heads home. Surely that's it
Rovers go close again. Graham Burke hits the post.
Daniel Mandriou with a great effort from distance that is saved by Steacy
Rovers win a corner, there are protests for handball but they are waved away
Sean Kavanagh is taken off
Lee Grace comes on
It's another save from Lee Steacy! This time he stops Burke from close range, it looked to be a certain goal
Graham Burke chips the ball into the box for Sean Kavanagh to latch on to, but it's another easy save for Steacy
Joseph Manley is subbed on
Aaron McNally comes off
Longford win a free-kick just inside their own half. Some relief for the midlanders as they have dealt with Shamrock Rovers throwing everything at them
Burke does well to create space on the box, but his attempt across goal is easily gathered by Lee Steacy
Graham Burke shoots from distance but it rolls into Steacy's hands
Michael McDonnell makes an incredible defensive header from a Mandriou cross. Aaron Greene seemed certain to get on the end of the delivery.
Aaron Dobbs comes off
Callum Warfield is on
Aaron Dobbs with a speculative effort from the corner of the Rovers box is straight into the hands of Alan Mannus
The hosts are piling on the pressure but De Town have done well so far to weather the storm
Sean Kavanagh listens to the crowd and shoots from distance, only to scuff the shot wide
A great counter-attack from Rovers, spearheaded by Mandriou, results in a Rory Gaffney strike on the edge of the area sailing over the bar
Max Murphy is replaced
Ronan Finn is on
Karl Chambers and Aaron Robinson are subbed on
Dylan Grimes and Matthew O'Brien come off
Chris McCann, Richie Towels and Aidomo Emakhu are replaced
Rory Gaffney, Dylan Watts and Daniel Mandriou come on
Another Murphy cross is just too much for Aaron Greene this time. The Rovers number nine was unable to get anything on the ball
Max Murphy angles a brilliant cross towards Emakhu inside the Longford box, but it's just too high for the 17-year-old
Emakhu attempts a shot from about 20 yards, but it rolls wide of the target
The second-half gets back underway at Tallaght
The referee blows for half-time. 0-0 at the break.
Roberto Lopes gets a head on the cross but it is an easy save
Graham Burke is fouled after a nice dribble. Free to Rovers in a threatening position
Game has quietened down as half-time approaches. Longford have looked dangerous on the counter, however it has been all Rovers. They've had the majority of the ball and the best chances so far
Chris McCann is booked for dragging Rob Manley down, preventing a counter-attack
There's a stoppage in play while Emakhu receives treatment
Aidomo Emakhu receives the ball on the edge of the box, sets himself but ends up sending the ball well wide
Richie Towell's attempt goes straight into Lee Steacy's hands
The Hoops win a free-kick on the edge of the area after a hand ball from Aaron Dobbs
Some nice play from Rovers results in their first corner of the game
A great ball over the top sets Rob Manley through on goal, but Liam Scales stops him with an exceptional tackle. The visitors have looked good from counter-attacking.
Lee Steacy collects a Sean Kavangh cross and starts a move for Longford resulting in a corner
Aaron Dobbs wins a corner for Longford
Lee Steacy makes a great save from a Graham Burke strike inside the box
Graham Burke finds himself offside after some great play from Rovers. The hosts are dominating proceedings.
Graham Burke wins the ball back in the Longford area and it falls to Emakhu who puts it wide from close-range. Thankfully for him the flag is raised for offside.
Graham Burke's free-kick fizzes wide of the post
Emakhu wins a free-kick for Rovers just outside of the Longford box
Graham Burke attempts a strike from distance but sends it wide
Paddy Kirk goes into the referee's book for a wild challenge on Aidomo Emakhu
An Aodh Dervin cross is cleared out for a throw-in. A positive start from Longford
Rovers kick off from left to right
A win for the hosts today would see them go six points clear at the top of the table and edge closer to their first back-to-back title since 2011. As for the visitors, their remaining 13 games are all must wins if they are to pull off the improbable and remain in the top flight.
As for The Hoops, Stephen Bradley makes seven changes to the team that won in the Europa Conference League qualifiers on Thursday night. Thursday's hero and the club's youngest ever scorer Aidomo Emakhu leads the line. Graham Burke and Aaron Greene round off a brand new front three.
Daire Doyle makes six changes from the squad that lost 2-0 against Derry City last week. Most noticeably, 18-year-old Matt O'Brien makes his first Premier Division start.
Hello and welcome to FinalWhistle.ie's coverage of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division. Today's fixture is between Shamrock Rovers and Longford Town. Just 45 minutes until kick-off at Tallaght Stadium.