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Longford get the better of Sligo to progress in FAI Cup

Updated / Saturday, 11 Aug 2018 22:43
Jamie Hollywood's second half-strike was enough for the Town to edge past the Bit O'Red.
Jamie Hollywood's second half-strike was enough for the Town to edge past the Bit O'Red.

Longford Town knocked Sligo Rovers out of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup for the second year running at the Showgrounds.

Jamie Hollywood’s second half-strike was enough for the Town to edge past the Bit O’Red who had their chances, but were unable to find a way past Longford goalkeeper Mick Kelly.

On their way to repeating last year’s 4-2 win over the Bit O’Red, it was Neale Fenn’s side who almost hit the lead in the opening minute.

Sligo goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney was forced into action early on as he got down to push Dylan McGlade’s effort away for a corner.

Rovers almost caught Town on the hop shortly after after Regan Donelon picked Karl Chambers’ pocket. But although Kelly was off his line, Raff Cretaro could only shoot over his attempted chip from 25 yards.

Sligo, who last won the cup five years ago, were just a whisker away from taking the lead themselves on 17 minutes.

A Longford defender got the slightest of touches to David Cawley’s ball across the face of goal with the unmarked Patrick McClean ready to pounce just inches from the target.

The woodwork then came to Town’s rescue. Kyle Callan-McFadden pushing his way past his marker to head Rhys McCabe’s cross goalward. The Donegal man could only watch as his effort come back off the crossbar.

Rovers struck the frame of the goal again on the hour mark with Kris Twardek and Lee Lynch combining down the Town left. The latte drilled cross which was met first time by the waiting Drennan, but his placed shot came off the inside of the post before landing straight back into the arms of Kelly.

The midlanders lost their goal-threat Sam Verdon to an ankle injury in the first half but there was little sign of them missing their striker when they sensationally took the lead in the 65th minute.

The tricky McGlade skilfully danced around Jack Keaney at the end line before squaring for Hollywood, who slipped the ball under Beeney, although the Sligo ‘keeper should have done better.

A desperate Sligo had plenty of possession inside the Longford half for the remainder of the game but there was no joy while Longford too had a chance to settle the game.

Mick McDonnell bravely threw himself in front of Cawley’s volley while Beeney was at full stretch to deflect McGlade’s rifled effort past his far post.

Sligo had a late, late chance to force extra time, but credit to Kelly who stood strong to deny Drennan with his feet as the attacker bore down on goal but couldn't find the target as Longford's Tristan Noack-Hofmann kept him under pressure.

Elsewhere in the FAI Cup, Derry City put up a record-breaking scoreline of 12-2 against Blarney United to book their place in the next round.

It's the first time any club has scored 12 goals in an FAI Cup match.

Galway United recorded a 4-0 win over North End United and Cabinteely edged out Newmarket Celtic. 

Finally, Maynooth University Town came out with a 2-0 victory against Leeds.

Sligo Rovers: Mitchell Beeney; Kyle Callan-McFadden, Patrick McClean, John Mahon (Jack Keaney HT); Kris Twardek, Regan Donelon (Lewis Morrison 70); David Cawley, Rhys McCabe; Lee Lynch, Raff Cretaro (Caolan McAleer 63); Mikey Drennan.

Longford Town: Mick Kelly; Karl Chambers, Mick McDonnell, Daniel O’Reilly, Tristan Noack-Hofmann ; Aodh Dervin, Jamie Hollywood, Dean Zambra; Darren Meenan, Sam Verdon (Peter Hopkins 27), Dylan McGlade.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

FAI Cup Results - Saturday 10 August

Sligo Rovers 0-1 Longford Town

North End United 0-4 Galway United FC

Newmarket Celtic 1-2 Cabinteely

Blarney United 2-12 Derry City

Maynooth University Town 2-0 Leeds

Skerries Town 1-4 Waterford FC

Dublin Bus 0-1 CIE Ranch

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