Men’s Report: Longford Town (A)

Athlone Town 1-1 Longford Town

Athlone Town took on Longford Town on Saturday night in Bishopsgate in the first Midland’s Derby of 2025. The game dubbed as the Irish ‘El Classico’ by many, means that little bit more to the loyal fans of both sides. This one lived up to the billing, a thrilling encounter and a gallant display from the away side, resulting in the teams sharing the spoils.

The game started out with both teams settling into the game with the mundane patterns of play. Several long balls, testing both defences were exchanged in the early passages. Ben Feeney and Gideon Tetteh attempted to get behind the defensive line of Longford Town on multiple occasions as the game began to open up. Dean Williams ambitious strike from 30 yards was the opening effort of the derby, a tame shot from the right boot, which was collected comfortably by the Longford keeper, with both sides beginning to grow in confidence as the first half progressed, it appeared the first goal was on the horizon.

Seconds later, at the opposite end, Cole Omorehiomwan’s failed header back to his goalkeeper, forced Matthew Connor into making a strong save to prevent Longford from breaking the deadlock through Danny Norris. The versatile Norris appeared to be the dangerman for the home side, his pace and directness whilst running with the ball made him a constant target down the left wing for the home side.

Meanwhile, the aforementioned Tetteh continued to cause problems for Longford as his accurate cross found the head of Ben Feeney, who forced an agile save from the Longford keeper, Harry Halwax. It was Feeney who broke the deadlock for Athlone as the game approached the half hour mark. JR Wilson’s cross from the right wing found Cole Omorehiomwan, the resulting header caused chaos for the Longford defence, who failed to clear. The ball fell into the path of Feeney who duly dispatched his effort into the bottom right corner of the net to the jubilation of the away support.

Dean George had the opportunity to reply for Longford following a neat cross from the left boot of Doran, George had a free header at the back post which sailed over the bar to the relief of the Westmeath side. Longford continued to ask questions of the resolute Athlone defence, a Daniel Norris whipped corner saw Dylan Hand concede a penalty as he tussled with the Longford players in the penalty area. Aaron Doran made no mistake in scoring his first league goal for Longford Town, converting from the penalty spot.

As the half progressed, the physicality and intensity of this battle continued, the teams were tied at 1-1 as referee Ian O’Keefe blew the half time whistle. There was one change for Dario Castelo at half time as Noe Baba came in for Billy Gilmore.

Dean Williams continued to get on the ball in an attempt to spur his team on, with his physicality and agility proving useful in a game that required a physical edge. Aaron Connolly’s in-swinging free was met with a leap from Noe Baba, but the substitute failed to hit the target with the first attempt of the half.

Williams appeared to be one on one with the keeper, lining up to shoot, when Longford defender Osaze Irhue heroically slid to keep the slides level as Williams seemed destined to find the net.
Following some intricate play from Longford, Danny Norris marauded down the left wing, cutting it back to the path of Merta on the edge of the penalty box, who’s effort required another fine save from Matt Connor. As Longford continued to pose an attacking threat, Dario chose to bolster his attack, with Kailin Barlow replacing Kyle Robinson who put in a stellar shift.

Halwax was called into action again, with Barlow teasing a ball into the Longford box, the goalkeeper clashed with Cole Omorehiomwan, while managing to keep the ball out, which seemed goalbound. The game continued with some half chances for both sides, as Adam Lennon returned to the pitch, replacing the excellent Tetteh, it was clear that this was going down to the final whistle.

Longford continued to pile on the pressure in injury time, a head injury to Longford’s Norris saw the game slightly delayed in injury time, adding to the suspense and tension within the ground as the game continued. The game finished 1-1, a fitting result in a competitive encounter, resulting in Athlone’s first point on the league table.

Teams
Athlone Town: Matthew Connor; JR Wilson, Dylan Hand, Cole Omorehiomwan, Kyle
O’Connor, Ben Feeney, Billy Gilmore, Aaron Connolly, Gideon Tetteh, Kyle Robinson, Dean
Williams. Substitutes used: Noe Baba, Kailin Barlow, Adam Lennon, Agbo Babatunde, German
Fuentes Rodriguez

Longford Town: Harry Halwax; Osaze Irhue, Andy Spain, Eric Yoro, Dean O’Shea, Dean
George, Eric Topcu, Aaron Doran, Pharrell Manuel, Danny Norris, Daragh Murtagh.

Match report by Jake McLoughlin
Photograph by Thomas Gallagher