Longford Town have ended their five-match losing streak following a 2-2 draw with Kerry FC at Bishopsagte.
The sides cancelled each other out in most areas and a draw was a fair result overall.
Town could’ve taken the lead 60 seconds in. Francis Campbell connected with Karl Chambers’ right-wing cross but couldn’t direct his effort on target.
10 minutes later, the visitors showed some attacking endeavour as Finn Barrett’s cross was blocked by Daniel Norris and cleared out of play.
Kerry took the lead from the resultant corner kick; Ethan Kos headed home Cian Brosnan’s delivery. Town pulled one back on 21 minutes. Francis Campbell restored parity with his second goal of the season.
Mohammed Boudiaf collected an aimless pass from Ethan Kos before hitting the crossbar from inside the box. Campbell fired home the rebound via the hands of Kerry goalkeeper Aaron O’Sullivan.
Kerry should’ve been in front 60 seconds later. Ryan Kelliher’s goal was disallowed for offside although replays showed it was a legitimate goal.
The Kerry striker ghosted behind Eric Yoro and Jamie Egan in the Town defence before firing to the net. However, the goal was subsequently ruled out.
Campbell was again to the fore as Town almost scored on 34 minutes. His 20-yard shot was parried by O’Sullivan, but the Kerry goalkeeper gathered it at the second attempt.
Cian Brosnan almost restored Kerry’s advantage 60 second from the break. The midfielder collected Sean McGrath’s left-wing cross before shooting wide from inside the box.
Brosnan almost made amends on the stroke of half-time. He controlled Finn Barrett’s throw with his chest before firing a powerful shot off the crossbar.
Town's second-half improvement
Longford missed another opportunity seven minutes into the second half. Mohammed Boudiaf and Karl Chambers combined to set up Campbell, his first-time volleyed effort sailed over the crossbar.
Campbell missed another chance just before the hour mark. The Town striker connected with Dean O’Shea’s left-wing cross but failed to hit the target.
Town took the lead on 72 minutes. Mohammed Boudiaf latched onto Shane Elworthy’s cross and found the net with a spectacular first-time volleyed effort.
Town’s lead only lasted six minutes. Ryan Kelliher scored his 13th goal of the season following some impressive play from Okwuy Okwute.
Okwute outmanoeuvred Kyle O’Connor and Dean O’Shea and crossed to Kerry’s scorer-in-chief who prodded home from six yards out.
The game petered out thereafter. Wayne Groves’ men have ended a five-match losing streak in all competitions but remain bottom of the first division table, nonetheless.
Longford Town: Harry Halwax, Shane Elworthy, Jamie Egan, Eric Yoro, Dean O’Shea, Emre Topcu, Mohammad Boudiaf; Karl Chambers (Kyle O’Connor 76), Ross Fay (Victor Serdeniuk 76), Daniel Norris, Francis Campbell (Jordan Adayemo 76)
Kerry FC: Aaron O’Sullivan, Finn Barrett, Ethan Kos, Andrew Spain, Seán O’Connell, Oran Crowe (Samuel Aladesanusi 56), Cian Barrett, Cian Brosnan (Valerii Dolia 68), Seán McGrath, Nathan Gleeson (Okwuy Okwute 56), Ryan Kelliher,
Referee: Alan Franklin
