A Longford Tale With A Happy Ending

by John Kehoe

(first published in the July 2011 Longford Town match programme)

Saturday 28/03/98
Longford Town 0 – Waterford United 2 (1)
                                     Gannon (15)
                                     Sinnott (69)

A fine away victory put Waterford within a whisker of promotion at Longford’s Strokestown Road ground last night. A decidedly attack-minded side ran out deserved 2-0 victors in front of yet another sparse local crowd. One point from their last four games will now guarantee promotion, while an additional two victories will deliver Waterford’s first piece of silverware since winning the same trophy in 1990.
The Blues were by far the classier side, and Longford, languishing at the bottom and reasonably certain of having to apply for re-election, took the opportunity to give two or three of their younger squad members a run. Karl Gannon opened the scoring after 15 minutes, getting on the end of John Frost’s free kick to head home. Longford, to their credit, rallied themselves after the goal. For the remainder of the first half, and the beginning of the second, they stood firm against Waterford’s best efforts to increase their lead. A second goal was always coming, though, and with 20 minutes to go, John Power’s forward pass split the defence, and Pat Sinnott raced on to finish in some style.
Waterford’s remaining schedule sees them playing host to Home Farm, Galway and St. Francis, and travelling to Athlone. Promotion should be beyond doubt, and their first title in seven years is now a distinct possibility.
Team: Michael Devine, John Power, Joe Harkin (Liam Maher 65), Sean Riordan, John Frost, Karl Gannon, Tommy Lynch, Pat Sinnott, Mark Reid, Padraig Dully, Donal Golden – subs: Paul Carr, Paul Scully

Friday 10/04/98
Waterford United 2 (2)  - Galway United 1 (1)
Dully (6), Gannon (25)       Coleman (21)

The champagne can finally be uncorked, and the held breath finally released, for the Blues have booked their place in the Premier Division for definite, and ended a four year spell in Irish Soccer’s wilderness. Needing just one point to make it safe, they comfortably overcame a Galway side whose lack of discipline cost them dearly, ending the game with only nine men on the field.
The game itself started very brightly for the Blues, and more than a bit fortunately, as Padraig Dully’s reasonably tame header was somehow dropped behind his goalline by Galway ‘keeper Mark Cobey, in the 6th minute. Then an Aiden Forde corner was spilled by Michael Devine under pressure from Ryan Lucas, and Fergal Coleman got in to force home the equaliser with twenty minutes gone. Almost straight away, however, Waterford were back on top, as Karl Gannon was first to an inswinging Pat Sinnott corner to blast past Cobey from close range.
Galway’s challenge fell apart with two rash tackles. Devine seemed to be comfortably first to the ball as he went down at Gareth Gorman’s feet, but the big striker left both legs in as he slid, pole-axing Devine and earning a second yellow. 12 minutes later Galway were down to nine, Luther Watson with a truly reckless challenge on Dully, diving in with both sets of studs showing, sending the striker flying through the night sky and eventually off on the physio’s shoulder. He duly received his marching orders, which led to manager Don O’Riordan being sent to the stands.

 
Friday 17/04/98
Athlone Town 0  - Waterford United 1 (1)
                                  Golden (22)

Waterford United were tonight crowned First Division Champions, taking the final points they needed from a comfortable win over Athlone at St. Mel’s Park. The Blues nearly took the lead after just 9 minutes, Karl Gannon cannoning a shot off an upright with the ‘keeper well beaten. They did not have to wait long to go in front, though. Gary Connaughton, in the Athlone goal, did superbly well with a double save from Gannon with 22 minutes gone, but Donal Golden cracked home the second rebound low into the corner.
From then on, Waterford never looked like relinquishing the lead, and the only question was whether they would add to it. The second half saw two Blues goals disallowed for offside, both close calls After the game, Lynch paid tribute to the team, and their efforts throughout the season, and also promised that real preparations were being made to keep Waterford in the top flight next season.
Team: Michael Devine, John Power, Joe Harkin, Sean Riordan, Liam Maher, Donal Golden (Mark Reid 78), John Lacey, Tommy Lynch, Pat Sinnott (Paul Scully 70), Tommy Hewitt, Karl Gannon – sub: Alan Reynolds