Match Report: City 3-2 Longford

Cork City made hard work of rock-bottom Longford Town as Seani Maguire bagged his first goal since his return to Leeside, putting two past the Midlands team.

Despite going behind twice to league strugglers Longford, City showed great fight to claw the game back and come out with an all-important three points to keep the title train in full tilt.

A Ruairí Keating header and a second half Seani Maguire brace inspired City to victory with the permutation now being; if City beat UCD in Belfield next Friday, they will be crowned 2024 First Division Champions.

Cork City’s starting eleven was three different from their Cork Derby victory seven days previous, with captain Cian Coleman returning to the heart of the defence replacing his usual centre back partner Charlie Lyons, Evan McLaughlin was back at left back in place of Matthew Kiernan, and there was also room for Jack Doherty, who slotted in place of Sean Murray, who dropped to the bench.

Longford Town manager Wayne Groves named just one change to his starting eleven from their previous league draw with Kerry, as Viktor Serdeniuk stepped into the defence in place of the absent Jamie Egan.

Seani Maguire came close ten minutes in as he attempted to notch his first goal back in a City shirt, taking advantage of a mistake from Viktor Serdeniuk at the back to tap the ball around the Longford keeper but his touch was too heavy, and the angle was too tight to poke the ball into the open net.

Maguire was again unlucky just five minutes later as he headed Greg Bolger’s free kick toward goal, forcing Longford keeper Harry Halwax to dive low and deny the City striker.

The first twenty minutes was all about the former Irish international, as he again threatened with him finding the end of a brilliant over the top ball from Jack Doherty, which he took down beautifully and shot just inches wide of the post.

After totally dominating the opening phase of the game, City fell asleep defensively and were made pay, with Daniel Norris finding space behind the City defence and expertly finishing past Brad Wade to give the league’s bottom side an unlikely lead at Turners Cross.

City had the perfect response though, as just four minutes later Evan McLaughlin’s cross was met beautifully by Ruairí Keating, who jumped high and nodded the fullback’s delivery into the net to bring the game back to level terms and score his second goal in as many matches.

To add a twist to the tale of the already eventful game, Longford were awarded a penalty just after the half-hour for a questionable push in the box, and the subsequent penalty was finished coolly by Francis Campbell to propel De Town into the lead for the second time.

Longford entered half-time with the advantage at 2–1, with the league strugglers being the first side to score two goals past City in a competitive fixture this season.

At the break though, City were shown a red card but it wasn’t for a player, it was for manager Tim Clancy as he was sent off in the tunnel.

City didn’t let their heads drop, and equalised just before the hour mark as Darragh Crowley’s deep cross was headed out as far as Evan McLaughlin, who shot towards goal, but his shot was tapped in by none other than Seani Maguire at close range to score his first City goal since his last in July 2017.

The Cross was alive with Maguire’s famous chant as City probed for a winner, unleashing a barrage of attacks against the Longford side.

The final ten minutes saw the welcome return of winger Cian Bargary, who hadn’t featured for City since sustaining a bad hamstring injury against Cobh Ramblers in June, as he was subbed on for Malik Dijksteel.

City’s search for a winning goal was helped by a hard tackle from Longford midfielder Dean O’Shea on Darragh Crowley, and with the Longford man already sitting on a yellow card, he was given a second and Longford were reduced to ten men for the remaining four minutes.

City grasped the man advantage with both hands and made use of the spare player, as Cian Bargary raced down the right wing and delivered a great ball across the box which was tapped into the net by Seani Maguire just on the stroke of stoppage time to secure a 3–2 victory for the Rebel Army.

Just like Cork busses, Maguire had to wait a while for a goal on his return and on this evening at Turners Cross two goals arrived at once.

Maguire’s brace meant City came away with all three points as they continued their march towards a now inevitable First Division title.

City’s next outing takes them to the UCD Bowl next Friday night, as they will play for the chance to secure the First Division title with six games to spare if they beat the College.

Longford Town are also in action next Friday, as they face Bray Wanderers at home.