Dean Craven’s wonder strike saw Longford Town claim their first home win of the season over Galway United 2-1.
Town hit Galway with two sucker punches after Galway took the lead following a bizarre Michael McDonnell own goal.
Dean McMenamy was lucky not to see red just seven minutes in for an over the ball tackle on Ed McCarthy. Referee Oliver Moran brandishing a yellow.
Galway had the better of the opening exchanges and had the ball in the net from the resulting free-kick.
Dave Hurley left footed free found Charlie Lyons who headed into the far corner of the net but the linesman ruled it out for offside.
Galway took the lead on 11 minutes under bizarre circumstances through to a Mick McDonnell own goal. Dennison eased the ball out to McDonnell and under light pressure from Stephen Walsh, McDonnell sent the ball past his own keeper and into his own net.
🗣️ "𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙜𝙤𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙚"
Longford Town with a mix up at the back to hand Galway United the lead 😱@LongfordTownFC 0-1 @GalwayUnitedFC
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The game became a very scrappy affair with Longford gradually easing their way into the game.
Four minutes before half-time McMenamy’s edge of the box free-kick nearly drew Town level. With everyone expecting a cross into the box, McMenamey bent a shot to the far corner.
Galway keeper Conor Kearns reacted well to claw the ball away.
Town equalised bang on half-time. The ball was punted back by Ben Lynch.
Conor O’Keeffe misjudged the ball allowing Graydon in. Graydon pulled the ball across for Sam Verdon to scrabble home.
Galway had the first shot on target of the second-half. 62 minutes were on the clock when Walsh headed McCormack’s free-kick goal-bound. Dennison’s good positioning saved Longford.
It was the visitors who threatened again on 73 minutes. McCormack’s free-kick was wiped in Walsh headed just over the bar.
Town took the lead 12 minutes from time totally against the run of play. The newly introduced Callum Warfield imposed himself on the Galway defence.
The rebound fell to Darren Craven 25-yards-out who found the bottom corner of the net with a sweet strike.
Substitute Jordan Adeyemo had Galway’s best effort four minutes from time with a spinning shot the Town defence did well to close down.
Longford Town: Dennison, Elworthy, McDonnell, Barnett, Lynch, Craven, Robinson, McMenamy, Graydon, Verdon (Warfield 77), Molloy (Barker 87)
Galway United: Kerans, O’Keeffe, Lyons, Brouder, McCarthy (Lomboto 85), McCormack, Hurley, Rowe (Boylan 57), Hemmings (O’Shea 57), Walsh, Waweru (Adeyemo 68)
Referee: Oliver Moran
