Longford Town get their SSE Airtricity first division campaign underway against Cork City on Saturday night.
Town are the last of the 19 league of Ireland teams to get their campaign underway after their opening fixture with Cobh Ramblers was postponed.
Town have purposely chosen to wear their blue and yellow away kit as a show of solidarity to Ukraine.
The club will also fly the national flag of Ukraine and 50% of the gate receipts on the night will be donated to a chosen charity working on the ground in Ukraine.
LTFC підтримує Україну...??
Прочитайте тут: https://t.co/Rej7NToCXB pic.twitter.com/kH8IBJFF9x
— Longford Town FC (@LongfordTownFC) March 4, 2022
Town boss Gary Cronin expects to have Ben Lynch and Shane Elworthy available after recovering from pre-season injuries. Aaron McCabe and Cristian Magerusan remain sidelined.
Cork go into this game having lost the grudge match against former boss John Caulfield’s Galway United last weekend.
City opened their campaign with a 6-0 win over Cronin’s old side Bray Wanderers on the opening match night. A Similar score-line would be unlikely as Longford are not as weak as Cabinteely in disguise.
The record books record’s Longford last league victory as 20/3/2021. Cronin may have to wait a week or two for his first win.
Although Cork dominated for long periods against Galway in Turners Cross but couldn’t find the net.
Cronin’s teams have a reputation for being dogged, defending in numbers and fighting for every ball. The question is can Cronin turn around the down beaten Town quickly.
Early days, but intriguing signs to see.
